With the goal of putting a spotlight on mental health, the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and The Steve Fund, an organization promoting mental health and emotional well-being for young people of color, partnered a conference for Historically Black College and Universities students. Sessions addressed stigmas that people of color may face around seeking help for issues of mental health and how different situations and scenarios can be addressed.
The conference, titled "Unapologetically Whole: Living Your Best Mental Health Life" was sponsored by Peloton and Blue Shield of California. Last fall, Blue Shield’s partnership with The Steve Fund kicked off with a survey distributed to HBCU students, faculty and staff to gauge the state of mental health on HBCU campuses.
“Among the findings, students, faculty and staff all agreed that the top three mental health concerns for college students are stress, anxiety and depression,” said Dr. Annelle Primm, senior medical director of The Steve Fund. “We believe that being unapologetically whole is not the absence of mental health concerns or of struggle. Being whole necessitates embracing all student identities and experiences while reflecting on what growth and healing entails and how to traverse barriers.”
While 82% of students believe their campuses are addressing mental health and well-being, only 52% said they felt comfortable visiting the university counseling center when a mental health issue arises. 45% of students surveyed said they would not speak to anyone if they were in a mental health crisis.
“We must work together collaboratively on a variety of fronts to create and sustain a range of affordable, accessible, culturally competent mental health resources for students, faculty, staff, parents and their friends,” said Hope Scott, senior vice president and general counsel and corporate secretary of Blue Shield of California. “We must meet HBCU students where they are. That means having the right programs, mental health professionals and training available to the people students’ feel most comfortable turning to for help.”
Scott said it’s essential to have mental health professionals who understand the culture and lived experiences of the patients with whom they’re working.
The two-day convening which began last Wednesday, included Dr. Sherry Molock, an associate professor of clinical psychology at George Washington University. She is also a Steve Fund research advisor.
