|
From Surviving to Thriving:
Celebrating PRIDE with Purpose
A word from Dr. David Rivera, Steve Fund Mental Health Expert
|
|
|
Audre Lorde’s poem “A Litany for Survival” ends with the line, “So it is better to speak remembering we were never meant to survive.” These words of wisdom from our Black lesbian ancestor serve as a call to action for those who are purposefully and systemically prevented from living authentically and unapologetically. Given the mounting and continued legislative and sociocultural threats towards marginalized communities, including LGBTQ youth, this poetic call to action remains as relevant today as it was in 1978 when it was written.
As society continues to harm LGBTQ youth of color at alarming rates, we must elevate and center these young people in efforts to achieve racial equity in mental health. According to The Trevor Project (2021), LGBTQ youth of color continue to experience high rates of suicide attempts, with 31% of Native/Indigenous youth, 21% of Black youth, 21% of multiracial youth, 18% of Latinx youth, and 12% of Asian/Pacific Islander youth reporting attempts. Additionally, 50% of LGBTQ youth of color reported experiences with racial discrimination, which serves as another significant source of stress. Research on the mental health of LGBTQ youth of color further supports the connection between mental health compromises and experiences with discrimination (Sutter et al., 2018; Velez et al., 2017).
As we enter Pride Month, we celebrate the strengths and beauty of LGBTQI+ communities. Pride Month elevates affirming and validating attention to LGBTQI+ communities in ways that challenge the oppressive and hateful discourses and actions that these communities absorb year-round. As a gay Latinx man, I know there is a direct, positive impact on my wellbeing in environments where my identities are welcomed and affirmed, and Pride Month offers such an environment. However, relegating the celebration and affirmation of LGBTQI+ people to one month is not enough, they deserve and need to be celebrated and affirmed year-round.
One way of keeping the spirit of Pride Month alive year-round is by ensuring that issues that impact the wellbeing of LGBTQI+ youth of color are embedded in the missions and work of all institutions that serve youth, including in education, healthcare, and social services. My co-edited book, Affirming LGBTQ+ Students in Higher Education (Rivera, Abreu, & Gonzalez, 2022), published just in time for this year’s Pride Month, offers critical consciousness-raising and practical strategies for creating affirming educational spaces for LGBTQ+ college students. My co-editors and I specifically call on institutions to direct “more resources on radical projects that seek to dismantle the White supremacist, anti-Black, colonial, patriarchal, ableist, transphobic, and heterosexist foundations from which institutions of higher education were built.”
We need to dismantle these oppressive structures to achieve true liberation for LGBTQI+ youth of color. This will create environments that honor and affirm the strengths of LGBTQ+ people, such as hope, love, perseverance, gratitude, social intelligence, zest, and self-regulation, all of which have been linked to higher wellbeing and lower mental distress (Antebi-Gruszka et al., 2021). Young people are indeed speaking, and we need to listen.
|
|
|
Evokate:
Created BY Young Adults FOR Young Adults
Almost half of lesbian, gay, or bisexual students and nearly one-third of students not sure of their sexual identity reported they had seriously considered suicide. Together we can make a difference. At EvokateApp.org, learn about mental health issues, find community resources and how to advocate for mental health awareness and better access to mental health care. |
|
|
|
National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month
|
|
|
During June, we take time to raise awareness about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a psychiatric disorder that may occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. As the United States faces a mass shooting epidemic, it is important that we unite together to support those who are affected by such horrific events.
Check out The Steve Fund's response to mass shooting for helpful resources.
|
|
|
The Steve Fund Welcomes: Our Newest Interns
|
|
|
Emma-Lee Furrowh
Emma-Lee attends Hampton University where she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. While at Hampton University, she participates in Campus Ministry, Student Recruitment Team, and HCS Gospel Choir. As a high school student, she helped to launch the very first Black Culture Club, which later became the school's Black Student Union.
Emma-Lee integrates her love for black psychology with her passion for black liberation. She hopes to make substantial contributions that will impact and better the lives of children within the black community. Currently, Emma-Lee lives in Hampton, Virginia and enjoys singing, mental health advocacy, and cooking.
|
|
|
|
Cailin Pryor
Cailin recently graduated from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. During her time in school, she was a member of numerous groups/organizations, participated in research projects, and volunteered as an online crisis counselor.
When Cailin considers her life's purpose, she often comes to the same conclusion. Her goal has always been to promote mental health awareness, particularly for members of the African-American community and other minorities, with a focus on youth and young adults. Interning at The Steve Fund has given her the opportunity to be make a difference and interrupt the cycle of mental health disparities among young people,
|
|
|
|
New Brief Released: The Prevalence of Mental Health Disorders Among Latino Parents
The first national portrait of the prevalence of mental health disorders among Latino parents with children under 18 was just released. The brief, from the National Research Center on Hispanic Children & Families, shows that while mental health disorders are lower among Hispanic parents compared to non-Hispanic parents, they are a common experience among Latino parents. The brief analyzes data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III (NESARC-III) to describe the prevalence of mental health disorders among Hispanic parents and variation in prevalence by country of heritage and whether they were born in or outside of the United States.
|
|
|
Youth Advisory Board Spotlight:
Caitlin Andress
The Steve Fund’s Youth Advisory Board (YAB) was created to engage high school and college students of color from across the nation in discussion about ongoing issues and needs pertinent to the mental health and emotional well-being of their peers. Caitlin Andress (BA Psychology from St. Edward's University '21), joined YAB in 2021 and shared about the value of her YAB experience:
Why were you interested in the Youth Advisory Board?
I wanted to be involved in an organization that prioritizes and lends space to the mental and physical well-being of young people of color. I also wanted to connect with other youth who have the same passion for breaking down the mental health stigma and promoting awareness and education.
What's one thing you've learned from being on the Youth Advisory Board?
Although we all come from different backgrounds and identities, we all share the same objective of spreading massive healing to youth across the nation. I found that having individuals from various identities provides richer conversations and perspectives, and it allows me to learn about the intersectionality of identity and other people's unique experiences.
What's your favorite part of being a part of the Youth Advisory Board?
I love the monthly meetings because they provide me a safe space to talk to others about mental health in a judgment-free zone. I also learn a lot during these meetings, especially during the student presentations touching on various topics varying from imposter syndrome to growth mindset.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Caitlin, and we wish you the best as you begin graduate school at Duke University this July!
|
|
|
|
Scholarship Guide for AAPI Students
There are many challenges that Asian American and Pacific Islander students face. One of these challenges is navigating the high cost of education in America. To help, BestColleges.com created a scholarship guide geared toward AAPI students.
|
|
|
Applications OPEN!
Equity in Mental Health on Campus
Our application for the fall cohort of colleges and universities who want to participate in The Equity in Mental Health on Campus initiative is now open!
The goal of the Equity in Mental Health on Campus Initiative (EMHC) is to guide and support a cohort of schools through a transformative process that will make the mental health of students of color a priority for their campus community. Through the EMHC initiative, institutions work towards transforming their campus’ racial climate, policies, programs, and services to address and support the mental health and emotional well-being of students of color.
Because of TSF we have more weight as to what we are trying to do! It takes patience and persistence. And it has energized me! Even though the steering committee may not continue we will always do this work.
- EMHC participant
|
|
The Steve Fund Interviews:
Kalen Allen and Jarred Denzel
Tune in to The Steve Fund's Instagram Live on Monday, June 13th at 6PM ET. In honor of #STRENGTHinSHARING Pride Edition, we are incredibly excited to interview Kalen Allen and Jarred Denzel.
Kalen Allen first caught the nation's attention with his hilarious Kalen Reacts videos on YouTube. In 2018, Ellen offered him an opportunity to collaborate and produce content for her digital platforms. Today, Kalen’s meteoric rise has found himself with a regular guest spot on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, his very own weekly digital news series, OMKalen, and the host of Cakealikes on Food Network.
Jarred Denzel is a Public Relations and Media strategist who offers brand partnership direction to LGBTQIA+ focused community programs. His current PR work has allowed him to travel outside the realm of fashion/lifestyle. Refusing to stay within the parameters of fashion-only media, he has also secured coverage for CEO's in 'The New York Times,' 'Forbes' and 'The Wall Street Journal' - in addition to fashion media staples like 'VOGUE,' 'ELLE,' 'Business of Fashion' and 'Women's Wear Daily.'
|
|
|
|
The Steve Fund x United Negro College Fund
The Steve Fund is presenting a mental health track of three sessions at UNCF’s UNITE 2022! The sessions will take place on June 14th and June 15th. The Steve Fund sessions include:
- When Action Speaks Louder than Words: Identifying Strategies For Building Mental Health Literacy On Campus
- From Your Lips To God’s Ears: Holistic Approaches For Addressing Student Mental Health Concerns
- Lifting as We Climb: Building The Case For Trauma-Informed Leadership
Join thought leaders from higher education - HBCU/PBI leaders, educators, researchers, advocates, students and practitioners - to learn, share ideas, build connections and transform institutions.
|
|
|
|
Celebrating Black young women and girls as bosses and creatives: A community conversation on entrepreneurship and wellness
Wednesday, June 15, 1:00-2:30 PM ET
Celebrate Juneteenth with The Steve Fund by attending this session!
Black young women and girls are thriving as bosses and creatives within entrepreneurship! In this session, participants and community members will learn and reflect on the growing career field of entrepreneurship for Black young women and girls. This session will highlight and educate community members on the benefits of entrepreneurship for Black young women and girls and how to support and uplift their creative ventures.
|
|
|
|
Are you a young person of color? Feeling down, stressed or overwhelmed? Text STEVE to 741741 and a live, trained Crisis Counselor will respond to you quickly to provide support. The volunteer Crisis Counselor will help you move from a hot moment to a cool moment.
|
|
|
|
|
|
