February Spotlight- Collectively Brave
When the world feels overwhelming, it’s easy to forget how much good is happening close to home. People Helping People is our way of spotlighting the Portlanders who are showing up, making a difference, and reminding us that we all have something to offer. Hope isn’t something we wait for, it’s something we build together, and all across the city, you will find examples of people reminding us that the most powerful force for change is the simple, human act of people helping people.
“Only by unlearning harmful patterns and learning healthy coping mechanisms can we ensure that future generations can thrive in the long term.”
-Carla Michaud, Executive Director
Interview with Carla Michaud, Founder and Executive Director of Collectively Brave
Please share a bit about Collectively Brave and the work that you do.
Collectively Brave is rooted in the belief that mental health is essential to sustaining the life we are fighting for. We design programs that reduce mental health stigma, lower barriers to access, and create spaces centered on care of self and others for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. Our work is grounded in education, prevention, community, and healing. We bring together community members with lived experience and mental health practitioners to offer workshops, wellness activities, and an annual summit each year focused on mental health and community wellness.
What led you to start Collectively Brave?
The reason I started Collectively Brave is because even though mental health is what allows us to sustain ourselves, too often it is placed on the back burner and treated as an afterthought. The work that we do is to just continue emphasizing that caring for our mental health is a preventative measure. It is how we prevent violence. It is how we prevent suicide. It is how we sustain ourselves and communities and is at the heart of all of the work Collectively Brave does.
Another important thing that led me to start Collectively Brave was knowing that suffering is passed down. Only by unlearning harmful patterns and learning healthy coping mechanisms can we ensure that future generations can thrive in the long term.
Can you share a bit about the role that community plays in your work?
Community is central to everything we do. We co-create our programs with the community because this work is for the community. We regularly gather feedback and data from participants so we can understand what the needs are, how programming can be improved, and who we should invite to future events. Community guides the direction of our work.
What does a typical Collectively Brave event look like?
Our events are often a blend of community-led and practitioner-led experiences. We intentionally combine education with moments of rest and play.That might look like a workshop led by a mental health professional, followed by a wellness activity, reflection space, or community-building exercise. Everything we host is designed to feel accessible, welcoming, and leave participants with tools they can use in their daily lives.
What is something that gives you hope?
What gives me hope is that we are the generation with the tools and resources to talk openly about mental health. It’s powerful to see people breaking cultural narratives and speaking honestly about their struggles, whether that’s through social media or in other areas of our lives. Our work is to continue to build on this growth and make sure that people not only have access to tools to support themselves, but also know how to use them. So with the help of mental health practitioners who are our allies, we focus on offering practical, usable tools that people can practice and apply in their daily lives.
Get Involved!
What advice would you give to those looking to build or support community right now?
Be in community! If you want to build community, start by being part of one. Amplify the voices already doing the work. Pay attention to what’s needed. If you see a gap, connect with leaders who have been engaged in that space and work alongside them to fill it.
And how you support community right now is to simply be in action. Especially in this moment. Whatever that looks like for you, action is what is most needed right now.
How can others support your work?
Support looks like being in action with us! Come to events, offer your skills, help out and volunteer. We have plenty of work that we could use help with. Most importantly, be in community with us. Our work thrives when people show up not just as attendees, but as collaborators and co-creators.
Want to learn more or get involved? Send an email to Collectively Brave at Collectivelybrave@gmail.com
We hope these stories help you remember that no matter who you are or what you care about, there’s a role for everyone in building this community. Reach out to us with your story of #PeopleHelpingPeople or let us know how you’d like to help, and we can help connect you with an opportunity that is right for you!