by Sue Sprague and Roueida Ghadban
An important event was held during Black History Month on Feb 10, 2021 entitled “Our Minds Matter: Exploring the Intersectionality of Race and Mental Health Disabilities.” SUNY Cortland students C’Ality Hacket, Shaneya Simmelkjaer, Jasmiri Valerio, Aaron Bowen, Brianna Soogrim, and Vanessa Acheampong shared their perspective about the personal impact of racism in their lives and particularly on their mental health. You may wonder why this topic was unanimously selected for a student panel focus. Discrimination and racism significantly impact the mental health of people of color every day and it is up to us to recognize the deep extent that this happens. All of us need to be involved to change this systemic injustice. Thank you to moderators Lima Stafford, Seth Asumah, Sue Sprague, and Roueida Ghadban.
We are motivated to share additional resources highlighting the key message of our previous program and we want to invite you to watch these personal presentations focusing on the inequities and truth about the impact of racism for people of color.
Black Mental Health Matters: Phillip J. Roundtree TEDxWilmington
Snapping the Chain: Ending Mental Health Stigma in the African American Community Inspiring Stories of DeWitt Buckingham and Brianna Williams