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LIVE PANEL DISCUSSION
Breaking the Stigma:
Black Youth’s Mental Health & Our Schools
Tuesday, April 23rd | 12:00 PM PST | 3:00 PM EST
Black youth are at higher risk of experiencing mental health challenges due to discrimination, trauma, poverty, and more. The suicide rate among 13- to 30-year-olds is growing fastest in the Black community, rising over 50 percent between 2010 and 2019. We must act now.
Our schools are primed to support the mental health of Black youths but long-standing stigmas exist in the Black community about getting mental health support. Some view mental health conditions as a sign of weakness while others think these problems should be dealt with in private.
This panel discussion is bringing together experts that work across education, mental health, and community activism to share how schools can work to address the mental health stigma so that Black students can heal and thrive.
Panelists:
Dr. Wenimo Okoya, Ed.D, MPH
Dr. Okoya brings equity-focused mental health programming to K12 schools. In her prior role at the Jed Foundation, she worked with schools, organizations, and individuals to enhance their adoption of anti-racist, trauma sensitive cultures.
Using her experience in K12 schools, Dr. Okoya founded the Healing Schools Project, which brings thoughtfully designed programs to support teacher mental health and wellbeing in an effort to retain educators, especially educators of color.
Granville T. Freeman, LPC, CPCS, BC-TMH
Mr. Freeman has over a decade of experience working with students as a school-based mental health professional. Today, Granville works for Metro RESA as a coach, helping schools to become Community Schools. He facilitates and develops mental health training and support for schools in Metro Atlanta.
Mr. Freeman also has his own private practice where he provides group & individual counseling and trainings & workshops for children, adolescents, and adults and families.
Moderator:
Jillian Kelton, M.Ed
During Jillian’s tenure at the Boston Public Schools, she experienced first-hand the stigma that exists in the Black community around getting mental health support. She believes that our schools are primed to provide mental health support and services to Black youth but faced the challenges of families not being open to their child receiving the care they need. She will moderate the conversation and share some of her first-hand learnings and experience.