Transcript 100682-2-31380x

Social Justice and Self Esteem:
Using Mental Health Self-Advocacy to
Chart Your Life’s Path
Nadia M. Richardson, PhD
Department of Behavioral Health 6th Annual DC Summit on Evidence-Based & Innovative
Programs for Children, Youth, and Families
Monday, October 31, 2016 Washington, DC Downtown Hotel
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Nadia M. Richardson, PhD
Introduction
Who are You?
• You are not one-dimensional. We are all multidimensional.
• We are born into a set of social identities that
predispose us to roles. Socialization begins at
home and continues through various institutions.
• Identity formation involves simultaneous
reflection and observation.
• We are products/victims of our socialization.
• We are products/victims of our experiences.
Who do they say you are?
Who do you say you are?
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How is mental health understood?
What is missing from the conversation?
Internalized media images and ideas
Re-envisioning mental health
Social justice and advocacy (Societal expectations)
What is at risk?
What do we know?
• How mental health is understood
• Internalized media images influence
campus attitudes
• Individual experience
• Professional training (Ex. Faculty and staff)
• Societal expectations on student identity
(gender, race, class, ability)
• Mental health at forefront
What do you think of?
Socialization
What does mental health look like?
The Power of Story Telling
• Storytelling
• Provides individuals with an opportunity to name
their reality (Ladson-Billings & Tate, 1995).
Conversation and story-telling were important locations for sharing
information about the self, for healing.
Say it LOUD!
• The Importance of Hearing Personal Stories of Difference
• Puts a face on statistical and theoretical understandings about
mental health
Silence perpetuates stigma and allows trauma to continue.
Let Your Story Begin!
But where do we begin?
Start by creating your goals.
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What are your goals for the future?
What challenges do you face while working for your goals?
How can you be intentional about your goals?
How can you build your network and support systems?
What are your goals for the future?
What challenges do you face
while working for your goals?
How can you be intentional about
your goals?
How can you build your network and
support systems?
Then re-envision wellness.
We are not one-dimensional.
We are all multi-dimensional.
Social Justice and Self-Advocacy
What would you do to
Create a Culture of Wellness?
How can self-advocacy look like social justice?
Definitions
• Diversity
– the quality or state of having many different forms, types, ideas,
etc.
– Presence
• Cultural Competency
– refers to an ability to interact effectively with people of different
cultures and socio-economic backgrounds
– Communication
• Social Justice
– maintenance of the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and
privileges within a society
– Consciousness
Presence
Communication
Consciousness
Action
Elements of Liberatory Consciousness
• Awareness (to the world outside of yourself)
• Analysis (think about the world – theorize about it)
• Action (take initiative – leads to being empowered)
• Accountable/Ally-ship (support and alliance)
Awareness
Ally-Ship
Foster mental
wellness by working
to end structural
inequalities
contribute to mental
distress
Action
Analysis
Life Plan Exercise
• What do you want to accomplish?
• How do your goals contribute to your
community and to the world?
Never Underestimate…..
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The power of asking questions
The power of mentorship
The power of a broaden perspective
The power of being involved
Critical Consciousness
Critical Thinking
So what now?
One step at a time…..
• Foster self reflectivity and a commitment to lifelong learning (Identity and Socialization)
• Self-Care is a priority as well as a strategy for
success.
• Commit to action that is collaborative and
community-focused
• Use your voice to advocate for more integrative
services
Questions
For More Information
Stay Connected
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www.valenrich.com/No_More_Martyrs
[email protected]
205-440-2837