The Importance of Mental Health Education in Empowering DEI Initiatives I EP. 45
08/07/23 • 58 min
Diversity is a factual reality, equity is a conscious choice, inclusion requires proactive action, and belonging is the ultimate result. The episode highlights the significance of choosing equity to create a just and inclusive environment.
In this episode, we want to help individuals better understand diversity, equity, and inclusion. As we live in a highly diverse society, encompassing various backgrounds and identities. Equity, on the other hand, is a choice, and it involves treating individuals fairly and providing them with what they need to succeed, rather than treating everyone the same. Join us as we discover how we can create a sense of community and self-assuredness, where individuals feel wanted and needed for their unique talents and contributions.
Today, we're joined by Blane Allen Harding, the former Director of Diversity Engagement for the Office of Inclusion and Diversity at Virginia Tech University and currently serves as a national consultant. He also served as the Director of Advising, Recruitment, and Retention for the College of Science at the University of Nevada, Reno from 2017-2020 as well as the Director of The Cultural Center at the University of Nevada Reno from 2015-2017. He retired from Colorado State University, after 24 years of service, in 2012 where he served as the Director of Advising, Recruitment, and Retention for the College of Liberal Arts as well as a professor in the Ethnic Studies Department.
Blane served as a retention faculty member with the Council for Opportunity in Education which oversees the national TRIO programs as well as a faculty member, for 16 years, and past Chair of the Summer Institute Advisory Board for the National Academic Advising Association and Chair of their Multicultural Concerns Commission. In 2018 he was recognized as the Leading Light Award Winner presented to a NACADA member in recognition of significant contributions to diversity within NACADA.
"Belonging is an outcome. There's got to be a feeling of community, self-assuredness, and the feeling that people not only want you there, but they need you there." - Blane Harding
Show Highlights:
[00:04:54] Exploring Interests in Auburn, New York: Blane's Involvement with Community College and Cougar Museum.
[00:07:08] Unplanned Career Shift: Blane's Story of Becoming a Teacher at Colorado State University.
[00:11:08] The Importance of Genuine Student Relationships.
[00:13:30] Embracing Flexibility: Blane's Message to Young People on Seizing Opportunities.
[00:16:17] Defining Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
[00:19:23] Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
[00:22:52] Measuring Outcomes: Blane Highlights the Significance of Belonging.
[00:24:06] Learn how you can bring a Speaks 2 Inspire speaker to your campus by visiting www.speaks2inspire.com/speakers.
[00:25:15] Importance of having sufficient staffing and funding for effective DEI efforts.
[00:25:45] Recognizing the value of knowledge and experience in the field.
[00:26:22] The significance of convincing those on the fence about the importance of DEI.
[00:27:27] The need for tangible results and benefits for the institution.
[00:28:36] Advocating for collaboration and partnership in developing effective DEI programs.
[00:29:27] Highlighting the need to include student voices in DEI initiatives.
[00:30:03] Discussing the need for customized approaches for different audiences.
[00:32:05] Emphasizing the value of authentic relationships with students.
[00:34:01] The need to break down the stigma around mental health in certain communities.
[00:38:33] Open conversations without judgment.
[00:42:59] Recognizing the value of mental health support for everyone, regardless of background.
[00:45:26] The importance of cultural competence in mental health services.
Key Takeaways:
"You learn from everybody. If you're not learning from them, then your interactions with them are not being very productive." - Blane Harding
"Just use the skills you have. We all have different skills, and it's all different too. My way of presenting isn't other people's ways of presenting." - Blane Harding
"Diversity is a fact. Equity is a choice. Inclusion is an action. Belonging is an outcome." - Abraham Sculley
"Equity is fairness, and equality is sameness." - Blane Harding
"If you're of good character, you believe in fairness, and if you believe in fairness, then you believe in equity." - Blane Harding
"If it's personal and emotional, it's a choice. If you are of good character, you believe in fairness, and if you believe in fairness, then you believe in equity." - Abraham Sculley
"You've got to take your time, and it's going to be, it's going to happen, but you gotta take your t...
Diversity is a factual reality, equity is a conscious choice, inclusion requires proactive action, and belonging is the ultimate result. The episode highlights the significance of choosing equity to create a just and inclusive environment.
In this episode, we want to help individuals better understand diversity, equity, and inclusion. As we live in a highly diverse society, encompassing various backgrounds and identities. Equity, on the other hand, is a choice, and it involves treating individuals fairly and providing them with what they need to succeed, rather than treating everyone the same. Join us as we discover how we can create a sense of community and self-assuredness, where individuals feel wanted and needed for their unique talents and contributions.
Today, we're joined by Blane Allen Harding, the former Director of Diversity Engagement for the Office of Inclusion and Diversity at Virginia Tech University and currently serves as a national consultant. He also served as the Director of Advising, Recruitment, and Retention for the College of Science at the University of Nevada, Reno from 2017-2020 as well as the Director of The Cultural Center at the University of Nevada Reno from 2015-2017. He retired from Colorado State University, after 24 years of service, in 2012 where he served as the Director of Advising, Recruitment, and Retention for the College of Liberal Arts as well as a professor in the Ethnic Studies Department.
Blane served as a retention faculty member with the Council for Opportunity in Education which oversees the national TRIO programs as well as a faculty member, for 16 years, and past Chair of the Summer Institute Advisory Board for the National Academic Advising Association and Chair of their Multicultural Concerns Commission. In 2018 he was recognized as the Leading Light Award Winner presented to a NACADA member in recognition of significant contributions to diversity within NACADA.
"Belonging is an outcome. There's got to be a feeling of community, self-assuredness, and the feeling that people not only want you there, but they need you there." - Blane Harding
Show Highlights:
[00:04:54] Exploring Interests in Auburn, New York: Blane's Involvement with Community College and Cougar Museum.
[00:07:08] Unplanned Career Shift: Blane's Story of Becoming a Teacher at Colorado State University.
[00:11:08] The Importance of Genuine Student Relationships.
[00:13:30] Embracing Flexibility: Blane's Message to Young People on Seizing Opportunities.
[00:16:17] Defining Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
[00:19:23] Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
[00:22:52] Measuring Outcomes: Blane Highlights the Significance of Belonging.
[00:24:06] Learn how you can bring a Speaks 2 Inspire speaker to your campus by visiting www.speaks2inspire.com/speakers.
[00:25:15] Importance of having sufficient staffing and funding for effective DEI efforts.
[00:25:45] Recognizing the value of knowledge and experience in the field.
[00:26:22] The significance of convincing those on the fence about the importance of DEI.
[00:27:27] The need for tangible results and benefits for the institution.
[00:28:36] Advocating for collaboration and partnership in developing effective DEI programs.
[00:29:27] Highlighting the need to include student voices in DEI initiatives.
[00:30:03] Discussing the need for customized approaches for different audiences.
[00:32:05] Emphasizing the value of authentic relationships with students.
[00:34:01] The need to break down the stigma around mental health in certain communities.
[00:38:33] Open conversations without judgment.
[00:42:59] Recognizing the value of mental health support for everyone, regardless of background.
[00:45:26] The importance of cultural competence in mental health services.
Key Takeaways:
"You learn from everybody. If you're not learning from them, then your interactions with them are not being very productive." - Blane Harding
"Just use the skills you have. We all have different skills, and it's all different too. My way of presenting isn't other people's ways of presenting." - Blane Harding
"Diversity is a fact. Equity is a choice. Inclusion is an action. Belonging is an outcome." - Abraham Sculley
"Equity is fairness, and equality is sameness." - Blane Harding
"If you're of good character, you believe in fairness, and if you believe in fairness, then you believe in equity." - Blane Harding
"If it's personal and emotional, it's a choice. If you are of good character, you believe in fairness, and if you believe in fairness, then you believe in equity." - Abraham Sculley
"You've got to take your time, and it's going to be, it's going to happen, but you gotta take your t...
Previous Episode
Unlocking Student Success with Tech-Enabled Mental Health Support I EP. 44
How can receiving a text make mental wellness easier to attain? How can we endeavor to boost the opportunities for individuals undergoing the continuum of mental and behavioral healthcare to receive support?
In a world with so many distractions, giving your full attention to one thing at a time is powerful. There is an existing struggle for many of us to be honest, open, and transparent with the things we feel in certain situations. Consequently, it influenced us to wear the mask of being strong and able as we present ourselves to the world.
However, we must realize that we all need a friend who can be there to listen, accept, support, and encourage us because we can surmount life's anxiety and hardships when our minds absorb positivity and honest conversations, especially when we're at the moment of struggling with our careers, family, and various responsibilities. Thus, we must explore user-friendly solutions that bring mental wellness to people's fingertips. We must recognize that we can leverage technology to integrate mental health into our daily routines so that we can efficiently deliver the message of positivity to someone and uplift them with some words of encouragement.
So, in this episode, we seek to help people recognize the advancement that our technology can contribute to assisting people in accessing mental health resources and supporting them in meaningful ways. Join us in an insightful conversation with Keenan about the supremacy of a simple message of encouragement can do to someone who's going through a tough time.
Today, we're joined by Keenan Hart, a growing business builder, positivity soldier, and healthcare entrepreneur that has been working in the mental and behavioral health space for a decade. He has been building a business with his family since 2014 and has enjoyed every step of this fantastic journey. Keenan prides himself in making mental wellness and mental health improvement as easy as receiving a text.
Keenan is the co-founder of FRANSiS and a mental health advocate who believes everyone should have access to mental health improvement in 2022. Technology can play an amazingly supportive role for mental/behavioral health providers to enhance how they care for their clients/patients in the digital world. He helps mental/behavioral health professionals utilize technology through personalized videos and simple text messages to meet their clients wherever and whenever needed.
"Sometimes, because of the stigma of mental health, we don't want to talk to a particular friend because that's scary. But if everybody could have the same experience having that person who's always willing to engage with them and always deliver that message of positivity and uplift them, then that would be amazing." – Keenan Hart
Show Highlights:
(00:00:00) Episode disclaimer, highlight, and introduction
(00:01:54) Welcoming today's guest, Keenan Hart
(00:04:26) The Passionate Entrepreneur: Who is Keenan Hart?
(00:05:09) Starting a Telehealth Company
(00:06:46) Technology: A Bridge for Efficient Telehealth Services
(00:07:27) What is Telehealth?
(00:08:17) Life is full of distraction.
(00:09:12) A Letter of Positivity
(00:11:30) We all need a message of encouragement and positivity.
(00:14:17) A Safe Place: The inspiration behind the Purple Gorilla
(00:15:50) Everybody needs a friend.
(00:17:49) HOT: Honest, Open, and Transparent
(00:19:09) Alignment with our true self
(00:21:31) Relationship Resilience
(00:22:44) The challenge of leading by example
(00:24:19) We need human connection.
(00:25:02) How can you find kindness around you today?
(00:26:41) Stephanie: A Testimony of Gratitude and Acceptance
(00:28:44) Keenan's letter of encouragement from Francis
(00:29:41) Phenomenal feedback from healthcare workers
(00:32:54) Some stigma and shame around mental health
(00:34:35) The Performance Anxiety
(00:36:33) Creating opportunities for helpful conversations
(00:36:59) Developing a Culture of Care
(00:38:09) If you need that support for your mental health, reach out to the National Suicide
Prevention Lifeline by calling 9-8-8 now. For local and national resources, go to
http://www.speaks2inspire.com/resources. Join the Unlearn The Lies About Mental Health
Facebook group: https://bit.ly/UTLcommunity.
(00:38:57) How can we eradicate the existing stigma of Mental Health?
(00:39:51) Providing lower-barrier conversations
(00:40:48) Mental Diet: Support rather than discouragements
(00:42:03) What is mental health for Keenan?
(00:42:57) Mental Health is a sense of self-awareness.
(00:44:19) Where to connect with Francis?
(00:44:34) Get your gift for a free 30-day subscription to Francis.
(00:45:16) Th...
Next Episode
Building Youth Mental Health Resilience I EP. 46
Mental health is discovering and embracing your authentic self while equipping yourself with the tools to stand in your truth confidently. It's an ongoing process of self-discovery, self-care, and maintaining a balance that allows you to thrive. Just as you can't pour from an empty cup, taking care of your mental health ensures you can support not only yourself but also those around you. It's about acknowledging the importance of inner well-being and actively nurturing it.
In this episode, Victoria passionately discusses the unique challenges Black students face regarding mental health and explores the intertwining factors of stigma, lack of resources, and cultural nuances that impact mental health conversations within the Black community. Join us as we gain a deep understanding of how the Unapologetically Free initiative is making a difference through partnerships, awareness campaigns, and research in breaking the stigma surrounding mental health. Be encouraged into this enlightening episode that unpacks the significant impact of prioritizing our mental health in nurturing holistic growth within the Black community and empowering future generations.
Today, we're joined by Victoria works alongside the Director of Strategy to help develop strategies that improve the resilience and sustainability of Black colleges and universities, as well as the cultivation of ICB's mission and vision. Specifically, Victoria oversees emerging initiatives, including those related to mental health and the future of work.
The daughter of two educators, Victoria, has experience as an attorney. She uses her experience with researching, innovative thinking, attention to detail that she honed as a lawyer and love for education to propel her drive to strategize creative ways to lead HBCUs to continue to lift as we climb. Victoria holds a bachelor's degree from Howard University. She earned her Juris Doctorate from The University of Georgia School of Law.
"You can't fill up anybody else's cup if you're on empty." – Victoria Smith
Show Highlights:
(00:00:00) Episode disclaimer, highlight, and introduction
(00:02:33) Welcoming today's guest, Victoria Smith.
(00:03:19) Who is Victoria Smith?
(00:05:35) State of Black Mental Health at HBCUs
(00:08:17) Factors Supporting Mental Health at HBCUs
(00:09:21) The existing sense of community
(00:10:23) How does the TRIO program help Abraham?
(00:11:47) Abraham's personal experience with depression and stigma
(00:13:22) Depression is a real thing.
(00:14:24) Barriers to Seeking Help
(00:15:30) Lack of knowledge, access, and trust in the medical field
(00:19:24) What is an endowment?
(00:20:29) The significant disparity in endowments between HBCUs and PWIs.
(00:23:16) This episode is powered by Speaks to Inspire, the mental health solution for young adults suffering in silence. Speaks 2 Inspire works with colleges and universities to create and implement safe, comprehensive programs for campuses nationwide.
(00:23:59) What does the Unapologetically Free do?
(00:25:34) Providing an inclusive environment for students to learn and thrive.
(00:26:17) What kind of assistance does unapologetically free provide to black colleges?
(00:27:00) Upcoming event: The Unite 2023
(00:29:50) The legacy and connections of UNCF within the HBCU community.
(00:32:21) How can we eradicate the mental health stigma?
(00:34:37) Increasing black people's access and utilization of mental health support.
(00:36:17) Eradication is the ultimate goal.
(00:36:30) What is mental health to Victoria Smith?
(00:37:04) Mental health is a journey of self-discovery and self-care.
(00:38:04) Unapologetically Free resources available on the website: https://www.unapologetically-free.org/
(00:40:06) Where to connect with Victoria?
(00:41:01) The 14 Ways to support your students' mental health guide
(00:41:47) If you need that support for your mental health, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling 9-8-8 now. For local and national resources, go to http://www.speaks2inspire.com/resources. Join the Unlearn the Lies About Mental Health Facebook group: https://bit.ly/UTLcommunity.
(00:43:13) Outro
Key Takeaways:
"I believe in the importance of HBCUs in the Black community. I believe in their legacy." – Victoria Smith
"Thinking of everybody else in your family who you're there for and the legacy can sometimes be overwhelming as well, and so, you tend not to put yourself first." – Victoria Smith
"Being able to see yourself experience different cultures within your cultures, certain things you don't have to worry about because there's already a level of under...
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