Black Mental Health Matters

Join us for our Black Mental Health Matters Kick off!
(Interpreters Available Upon Request)

Just a reminder that this is a safe space for students identifying as ALANA/BIPOC. If you do not identify as ALANA/BIPOC we encourage you to consider joining a different event on Campus Groups or reach out to Dr. Taj Smith to learn more about Diversity Education at RIT. Currently, this is not an event intended for allyship exploration and education; it is intended for students with shared and lived experiences as ALANA/BIPOC persons.

Counseling and Psychological Services and the Multicultural Center for Academic Success proudly present Black Mental Health Matters; a two day event to focus on the importance of mental health and discuss the stigma of mental health in Black and Brown communities, the impact of racism on individual mental health as well as provide information and resources of services available at CaPS.

Day 1- Friday February 18th 5-7:15 pm
Panel Discussion and Real Talk Special Edition

Day2 - Saturday February 19th 12-4:30pm
Interactive Workshops, in-person and virtual options available

Interpreters will be available upon request.

All Zoom links will be included in the registration confirmation email. In addition, please use the link in the confirmation email to submit questions for the Black Mental Health Matters Discussion.

DAY 1- Panel Discussion
Friday February 18th 5-6PM
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5-6PM (Via Zoom)
Black Mental Health Matters Discussion with CaPS Therapists:
Isabel Chandler, Odessa Despot, Joshua Dentley, Nikki Haynesworth, Walter Derouen, and Jaime Castillo

Please join us as we start Black Mental Health Matters with an open dialogue for students facilitated by CaPS therapist that will explore topics such as the importance of mental health, stigma of mental health in Black and Brown communities, impact of racism, barriers of asking for help, barriers to accessing mental health services specifically at CaPS as well as informing students of services offered at CaPS.

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6:15-7:15pm
Real Talk Special Edition: Let’s talk Mental Health: Isabel Chandler and Odessa Despot

Real Talk is a CaPS + MCAS initiative aimed at helping to create safety and community amongst ALANA students. Real talk is both facilitated by students and CaPS therapists with a focus on the impact of current trends, social media hot topics, and student life. Join us as we discuss the importance of all things mental health.

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Be sure to join us for DAY 2 as well for interactive workshops facilitated by CaPS. Follow this link for a list and description of workshops offered and to register:

https://cglink.me/2d1/r1493571

Day 2- Interactive Workshops Saturday February 19th 12-4:30PM
Sign up in advance. These workshops will explore various in-depth mental health skills that include coping with anxiety, improving body image and self-talk, improving sleep, generational trauma in the family system, confronting imposter syndrome, exploring mental health technologies, and more! If you have ever been curious to know what you can gain from CaPS services check out these workshops!

12-1pm (in Person)
Anxiety Toolbox, Grace Weinstein
Feeling anxious? Come for an introduction to a regular 3 part workshop offered at CaPS, Anxiety Toolbox, to learn more about how anxiety works and some practical skills for what to do about it. We will also discuss some of the ways BIPOC individuals may experience higher levels of anxiety due to the impact of micro-aggressions, stereotype threat, dual consciousness. You will hopefully leave feeling validated that it makes sense why you might feel anxious, and feel empowered to use some new tips to feel calmer.

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12-1pm (via Zoom)

Sleep Well for Mental Health, Lisa Rizzo and Toni Gauthier
Improved sleep can have a beneficial impact on your mental, physical, and overall wellbeing, including your academic success, memory, and athletic performance. Join us for a fun and interactive workshop about the many benefits of Sleep for improving Mental Health. You will come away with tips and a plan for better sleep.

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12-1pm (in person)
“I’m holding on, but I’m not sure they are.” Erin Pomerantz-Castillo

This workshop will cover recognizing when you are stepping into that helper role. We are looking at the impact of others' mental health struggles on our well-being, setting healthy boundaries, and having hard conversations. We will also focus on recognizing how and when a helper needs help and resources available on and off-campus. We will conclude by focusing on putting on your oxygen mask first: reflecting on Self-care and healthy boundaries. Get curious about finding self-care and compassion with personal meaning that feels authentic and impactful to you, and consider integrating them as a part of your healing process.

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1:10-2:10pm (in person)

Confronting Imposter Syndrome, Shannon McCormick
This workshop will take a closer look at imposter syndrome from an intersectional, trauma-informed lens and how BIPOC folks experience a multitude of external messages, especially in predominantly white institutions that can contribute to experiences of Imposter Syndrome. We will discuss examples of those experiences and negative messages that can impact perception of self and explore how self-compassion practices can help with staying grounded and trusting your right to thrive in these spaces.

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1:10-2:10pm
Mental Health Technologies for All, Trevor Jones
This workshop will demonstrate examples of low-cost/free open source technologies for improving mental health and wellness, including a simple biofeedback device for regulating stress. Participants will learn the basic principles of open source and how this applies to personal and community empowerment with health tech.

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2:20-3:20 (in person)
Black Girls Have Eating Disorders Too, exploring body image and increasing positive self-talk, Isabel Chandler
This workshop will explore the history of the scrutiny of Black female bodies and how it relates to unrealistic beauty standards that can influence unhealthy relationships with ourselves, our bodies, and food. This workshop will also provide brief information about eating disorders as Black women are often overlooked and under researched when it comes to eating disorder treatment. You will hopefully walk away with an understanding of the impact that negative self-talk has on the relationship with your body image. As well as learn ways to start building positive self-talk and improve the relationship you have with yourself and your body.
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2:20-3:20
Is it ADHD or something else? Misdiagnoses and health-related disparities in BIPOC communities.- Odessa Despot and Clarissa Wood

This zoom group facilitated by Odessa Despot and new CAPS staff, Clarissa Wood, will talk about commonly missed and misdiagnosed mental health disorders in BIPOC communities. Facilitators will cover a brief history of racism and gender bias in medicine and psychology, the impact of this, and signs and symptoms of disorders such as ADHD, ASD, sensory processing and mood disorders. If time permits Odessa and Clarissa will also do an overview of learning disorders/learning styles and how this can impact academic performance. Students are invited to share their perspectives and experiences in this safe space.

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3:30-4:45 (in person)
Don’t Postpone this Procrastination Workshop , Nikki Haynesworth and Susan Chapel
An opportunity for discussion that normalizes and validates procrastination as a tool to avoid the very real stressors of being a student of color in a PWI, and to teach and provide practice in skills to help students move beyond procrastination.

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3:30-4:30pm (via zoom)
Intergenerational Trauma in the Family System, Joshua Dentley
This workshop will explore the meaning of intergenerational trauma and the manifold effects the phenomenon has on the family system. Participants will explore cultural traumas that have impacted people of color historically and discuss how intergenerational trauma may have impacted their own family.

*Please indicate need for interpreters upon registration.
*All zoom links for virtual workshops will be included in the registration confirmation email.