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Developing and promoting mental health services at the grassroots level while also maintaining a global perspective is, to say the least, an overwhelming task. The National Board for Certified Counselors' International division (NBCC-I) has responded to this task in two deliberate steps. Initially, NBCC-I collaborated with the World Health Organization's (WHO) Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse to establish the global Mental Health Facilitator (MHF) training program. The MHF program addresses the international need for population-based mental health training that can be adapted to reflect the social, cultural, economic and political realities of any country or region. Once the program was effectively addressed by WHO and NBCC-I as a viable strategy to reduce mental health issues on a global basis, NBCC-I independently developed a curriculum and implementation method that has begun to make a promising global impact (

Rural communities represent unique challenges for the reentering ex-ojfenders. In addition to having access to fewer resources, employment, and limited tax base, rural communities have a unique culture, values, and beliefs that may further increase barriers to employment for ex-offenders. The purpose of this article is to examine characteristics of rural communities that serve as barriers to employment for ex-offenders, to contrast rural and urban issues, and to examine employers' hiring practices in rural communities. Implicationsfor rehabilitation counselors are provided.

Systemic racism exacerbates the adverse impacts of social determinants of health, causing health disparities for African Americans. The COVID-19 pandemic's effect on communities of color has provided more attention and respect to African Americans' need for mental health care. This conceptual article explores COVID-19 and systemic racism disproportionately affecting African Americans' mental health and psychological well-being. The article also provides recommendations for counselor educators and mental health professionals to combat the problem.