UAlbany Hosts Symposium on Mental Health in Communities of Color
By Erin Frick
ALBANY, N.Y. (Oct. 17, 2024) — On World Mental Health Day, the University at UAlbany’s Black, Indigenous, Latinx and People of Color (BILPOC) Faculty Advancement Initiative and the Center for the Elimination of Minority Health Disparities (CEMHD), in collaboration with Partners in Community Development, hosted “Amplifying Mental Health Wellness through the Lens of Equity: Technology and Human Rights,” a one-day symposium focusing on mental health in communities of color.
Through keynote remarks, two panel discussions and a poster session, the event explored how mental health and human rights intersect, and ways we can harness emerging tech to support mental health among historically underserved communities.
“BILPOC and CEMHD were pleased to partner with BIPOC PEEEK again this year," said Carmen Serrano, associate professor of Spanish and co-founder of the BILPOC Faculty Advancement Initiative. “Our symposium brought together local leaders, regional and national experts, community members and stakeholders for a day of learning and intentional interaction to educate employers and employees on essential aspects of mental health equity, and technology. We learned so much from the expert panelists. There is a lot to be done still, yet we all walked away from this symposium empowered and filled with ideas on how we can contribute to the well-being of others in our communities.
“We are so appreciative of the many community partners and UAlbany co-collaborators who came together to make this event possible, including the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures, the School of Social Welfare, and the Extreme Events, Social Equity and Technology Laboratory.”
Participants included mental health experts, UAlbany faculty, researchers and community leaders. Among the featured speakers and panelists were UAlbany President Havidán Rodríguez; Moira Tashjian, Executive Deputy Commissioner of the NYS Office of Mental Health; Dr. Vanessa Bobb, Vice President of Behavioral Health and Medical Integration at CDPHP and Adrian Hale, NYS Education Department Board of Regents.
“Addressing inequities in mental health care requires a multifaceted approach that includes technology, community-based organizations and nonprofits, government agencies, and educational institutions like ours,” said UAlbany President Havidán Rodríguez. “I am proud that UAlbany can serve as a nexus for this work, bringing together experts from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds to tackle real-world problems and develop equitable solutions.
“We know that mental health impacts every aspect of a person’s life. For college students, mental health concerns are among the top reasons students cite for dropping out of college. In recent years we have made significant investments in Counseling and Psychological Services and have also worked to build community and resilience among our student body. The mental health of our faculty and staff is also a paramount concern and an area where we continue to invest. No individual or institution can tackle this issue alone. That’s why I am so pleased to see this gathering of professionals from such varied backgrounds here today.”
During the poster session, UAlbany students and faculty showcased several on-campus efforts to both advance understanding of mental health topics through academic research and provide supportive resources for UAlbany community members.
UAlbany doctoral students Elizabeth Slusarz and Zacharia Mohammed, both in the Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology in the School of Education, presented their research on ways technology—things like notetaking applications, virtual assistants and Zoom—can promote access for people with disabilities in school, work and communities. Their work also examined how technology can be leveraged to address barriers to resources, social engagement and professional opportunities.