Stories We Tell

Attendees learned more about resources in their community at a time the UNC system is emphasizing the importance of mental health.

By Dasia Williams

Because of COVID-19,  students of color are facing increased social and financial pressures and exposure to trauma, creating a need for more mental health services.

Some 37% of HBCU students said that the COVID-19 epidemic had negatively impacted their mental health, according to a 2021 UNCF survey, which matches the overall trend in the U.S.

In contrast, 60% of HBCU students met the criteria for one or more mental health concerns, according to a similar poll last year by UNCF and the Steve Fund.

On January 23 the Residence Hall Association and The Council of Presidents collaborated and hosted a mental health networking event to bring students the help they need.  

30 students came out to meet different mental health professionals in Greensboro. The event featured food, service dogs, giveaways, and on-site sessions with licensed professionals in the Triad area. 

Christian Stinson, chief of staff for The Residents and Housing Association, helped organize the event with Jordan Washington, the event coordinator for The Council of Presidents. 

“HELP stands for honest conversations, experienced professionals, listening ears, and positive coping methods,” Stinson said. “We wanted to allow students to meet different mental health professionals in the Triad area, and equip them with the resources needed.” 

Students of all majors and classifications came to network with licensed professionals. Students like Daiyanna Brooks, a sophomore computer science major, believe that the core of their stressors is financial stability. 

“The financial side of college can make you feel bad because you have to come up with ways to support yourself and make sure you have enough to stay in school,” Brooks said.

Shekenya Burch, the owner and therapist at Trust2change, uses attachment and narrative therapy to help clients understand their relational history and feel more equipped to navigate future relationships. 

“We are relational creatures who desire connection,”  Burch said. “My primary focus is young minority professionals between the ages of 25-45 years old.”

UNC System Prioritizing Mental Health

In its 2022–2027 Strategic Plan, “Higher Expectations,” the UNC System designated addressing student mental health as a top goal.

The System is striving to give students the tools they need to comprehend and deal with their mental health issues by providing an expanding array of services, programs, and training opportunities.

Recognizing the alarming decline in mental health among HBCU students, the Residence Hall Association and The Council of Presidents took proactive steps to create a supportive environment.

By combining systemic support with community-driven initiatives, there is a promising trajectory toward equipping students of color with the necessary skills to navigate and understand their mental health challenges, fostering a healthier and more resilient academic community.

“We believe mental health is the cornerstone of what they need to be successful and we want to help them do that,” Washington concluded.