Double consciousness- how minorities discover a sense of self while navigating the intersect with mental health and identity in college
Start Date
29-4-2022 3:00 PM
Location
Alter Hall 205
Abstract
The college experience comes with obstacles and challenges to overcome for all students. It would be impossible for such a fun experience to avoid any elements of difficulty being mixed in the equation. It is a place for discovery and acceptance, but it also comes with its hurdles. One major one would be student mental health. Mental health is stigmatized due to misinformation, lack of education and stereotypes in society. There are active members of society who are moving away from this mentality and working on breaking the stigma. However, isn’t the case for everybody, it still can be a taboo subject due to cultural and environmental influences. This research study is focused on minority students who attend predominantly white institutions (public and private). What was found from the research was that there is a lack of mental health resources that understand the struggle of identifying as minority on private predominantly white campuses. Compared to predominantly white public institutions, that have more resources and accessibility to help support minorities. Also, how individual cultural and environmental influences have shaped one’s perception of their identity, mental health and therapy throughout their lifetime and has impacted who they are as a person. Which has led to many minorities feeling a sense of “double consciousness” at PWI’s. The level of acceptance varies in spaces they are in, whether that is a space of comfort or how their university and society perceive them.
Double consciousness- how minorities discover a sense of self while navigating the intersect with mental health and identity in college
Alter Hall 205
The college experience comes with obstacles and challenges to overcome for all students. It would be impossible for such a fun experience to avoid any elements of difficulty being mixed in the equation. It is a place for discovery and acceptance, but it also comes with its hurdles. One major one would be student mental health. Mental health is stigmatized due to misinformation, lack of education and stereotypes in society. There are active members of society who are moving away from this mentality and working on breaking the stigma. However, isn’t the case for everybody, it still can be a taboo subject due to cultural and environmental influences. This research study is focused on minority students who attend predominantly white institutions (public and private). What was found from the research was that there is a lack of mental health resources that understand the struggle of identifying as minority on private predominantly white campuses. Compared to predominantly white public institutions, that have more resources and accessibility to help support minorities. Also, how individual cultural and environmental influences have shaped one’s perception of their identity, mental health and therapy throughout their lifetime and has impacted who they are as a person. Which has led to many minorities feeling a sense of “double consciousness” at PWI’s. The level of acceptance varies in spaces they are in, whether that is a space of comfort or how their university and society perceive them.
