Supporting Students of Color

Trust and belonging are keys to Mental Health and Wellness for Students of Color. Student Success and Health is committed to supporting and helping PPS staff, families, and students to help create an inclusive space for students to meet and talk about their struggles, positioning resources where students feel comfortable accessing them and connecting better with families and friends to whom students might initially turn when they’re having trouble. Students of color may be less aware of mental health services, less likely to be diagnosed, and less likely to be treated. That really brings into focus the institutional responsibility we all have. The concept of: “If I don’t believe you want me here, I’m not inclined to come in and use your services.” Therefore, Student Success and Health, Restorative Justice, Community Engagement, and the Racial Equity and Social Justice Department provide information. We will continue to offer technical assistance and consultation to schools, staff, students, and families. We are committed to ensuring the mental health and wellness of students of color are being addressed and supported.

Mental Health in Communities of Color

Communities of color are no different than any other community in that everyone wants to live a healthy life: physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. The challenge for communities of color and healthcare providers alike is defining what a healthy community looks like through the prisms of stigma and historical adversity, which includes race-based exclusion from health, educational, social, and economic resources. It is only by working together collaboratively as fully engaged partners that we can overcome this challenge. The resource below is meant to provide a framework for you to work from while supporting students of color that are experiencing mental health challenges.

Mental Health in Communities of Color Resources

The Healthy Minds Study

If you're low income, you're a first-generation in your family to go to college, and if you're a person of color-- which those three often come together very commonly-- You are a significant risk for developing mental-health compromises throughout the college years. What are barriers in communities of color, around seeking counseling for mental health, how can we play a role in tearing them down?

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Mental Health America

If you're low income if you're a first-generation in your family to go to college, and if you're a person of color-- which those three often come together very commonly-- You are a significant risk for developing mental-health compromises throughout the college years. What are barriers in communities of color, around seeking counseling for mental health, how can we play a role in tearing them down?

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Why Mental Health Care is Stigmatized in Black Communities (Article)

Hispanic/Latinx Mental Health

National Alliance on Mental Illness

The Hispanic/Latinx community in the U.S. is very diverse, including people from many different nations and regions of the world. Individuals of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central American and South American descent have been part of the American cultural tapestry for centuries. As with any community, the mental health needs and experiences of Hispanic/Latinx people varies among subgroups.

While there is great diversity within this community, there are some shared cultural factors that connect people regardless of ancestry or national origin. For some, their indigenous roots are a source of pride. A large portion of this community speaks the Spanish language. There is also a shared connection of religious affiliations, strong family bonds, connections to extended networks and a resilient approach to life and work. Another common value in this community is “familismo,” a cultural foundation that emphasizes connectedness and a strong attachment and duty to one’s family.

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Curriculum Resources From Teaching Tolerance

Relative to race and ethnicity, what is it that students of color might be uniquely experiencing as stressors? Repeated exposure to incidents of racism, discrimination, microaggressions-- questions about belonging. And we know the research is very clear-- that repeated exposure to these types of experiences is highly correlated with an increase in psychological distress-- symptoms of depression, anxiety, hopelessness.

For Additional Support, Contact:

Mila Rodriguez-Adair

QMHP on Special Assignment

503.312.8750

mrodriguezadair@pps.net

Find a culturally specific provider

African American Providers

Bilingual & Latinx Providers

Supporting students & their families

Programs and resources to support students of color and their families.

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