The Importance of Mental Health Education in Empowering DEI Initiatives I EP. 45

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...