AR-2020-10: Black Mental Health

West Virginia University
The Student Assembly - Student Government Association
Assembly Resolution: AR-2020-0x

AN ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION EMPHASIZING THE NEED FOR MORE DIVERSE STAFF AT THE CARRUTH CENTER TO IMPROVE BLACK MENTAL HEALTH

Whereas,”West Virginia University commit[s] to creating a diverse and inclusive culture that advances education, healthcare and prosperity for all by providing access and opportunity;...by leading transformation in West Virginia and the world through local, state and global engagement”; and,

Whereas, “The Carruth Center for Psychological and Psychiatric Services (CCPPS) is dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for all members of the WVU community.....acknowledging the differences of everyone helps us to recognize the uniqueness of the human experience.” ¹; and,

Whereas, Kaleea explains the Black college experience at a PWI (predominately white institutions) as “Black college students regularly encounter subtle and explicit forms of racism on campus. These daily experiences of prejudice and discriminatory behaviors can have an adverse impact on their mental health.” ²; and,

Whereas, In a survey with participants from PWIs and HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) Black students at the the PWI reported that their major stressors were the result of "school-related" events, while participants at the HBCU reported stressors that were not school-related. ³; and,

Whereas, “Weathering the cumulative effects of living in a society characterized by white dominance and privilege produces a kind of physical and mental wear-and-tear that contributes to a host of psychological and physical ailments,” ⁴; and,

Whereas , There is a correlation between Black students who attend predominantly white colleges and negative effects on their mental health due to numerous discriminatory encounters with university professors, students, police, school administrators, and staff ⁵; and,

Whereas, “Understanding and addressing the mental health needs of racially diverse students is essential to supporting their success and creating equity in other dimensions, including persistence and retention ...Overall, 42% of students experienced a mental health problem, with prevalence ranging from 40% among Black students” ⁶; and,

Whereas, A student-led conversation between students and Carruth Center staff revealed a need for more Black therapists and psychologists after students stated their longing to talk to someone who would understand what they are currently going through, especially during the recent uprisings with the Black Lives Matter Movement; and,

Whereas, Stephanie Harrison, a psychologist at the Carruth Center openly stated that she understands the need and the power in talking to a psychologist or therapist that looks like the student; and,

Whereas, In a survey conducted at WVU in 2019 that consisted of 15 Black students that attend WVU either in undergraduate or graduate, 93% of the participants said they would be more comfortable at the Carruth Center if there were more Black therapists and psychologists; and,

Whereas, Adding diverse staff to the Carruth Center will increase the number of students that go to the Carruth Center and utilize its resources which in turn will make strides in improving Black mental health at West Virginia University; and,

Whereas, “We take full responsibility for ways in which our Center has not risen to the occasion to meet the needs of our Black and Brown Students.”⁷

Therefore, be it resolved by the Student Assembly of West Virginia University:

Section 1: The West Virginia University Student Government Association demands that West Virginia University officials hire additional Black therapists and psychologists for the Carruth Center to improve the overall mental health of Black students at West Virginia University,

Section 2: Upon passage and approval, this legislation shall be forwarded to:

Mandates:

• G. Corey Farris, Dean of Students
• Sabrina Cave, Executive Director, Student Enrichment
• Dr. Thanh Le, Director, Student Engagement and Leadership (Advisor)
• Daily Athenaeum
• Chase Riggs, Student Body President
• Tracey Picou, SGA Secretary
• Dr. T. Anne Hawkins, Clinical Director/Associate Director (Carruth Center)
• Dr. Brian Quigley, Director of Psychiatry (Carruth Center)
• Missy Pforr, Director of Student Assistance Programs (Carruth Center)
• Dr. Dan Long, Director of the Office of Accessibility Services (Carruth Center)
• Dr. Yaping Anderson, Diversity Coordinator (Carruth Center)
• Marjorie Fuller, Director of the Center for Black Culture and Research
• Meesha Pooere, Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• J. Spenser Darden, Director of Diversity Initiatives and Community Engagement

¹ https://carruth.wvu.edu/about

² https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/etd/4616/

³ https://muse.jhu.edu/article/210898

⁴ https://news.vanderbilt.edu/2015/12/30/black-college-students-face-hidden-mental-health-crisis/

⁵https://dspace.sunyconnect.suny.edu/handle/1951/70786

⁶ https://www.healio.com/news/psychiatry/20180924/college-students-of-color-more-likely-to-have-unmet-mental-health-needs

⁷https://carruth.wvu.edu/solidarity