Louisiana State University: Racism: Dismantling The System Season Three Finale To Cover Mental Health Inequity ...

Press release from Louisiana State University:

November 15, 2021

BATON ROUGE— The season three finale of Racism: Dismantling the System, "The Role of Racial Injustice
in Mental Health Inequity,” will explore the unfortunate realities of the relationship
between communities of color and the mental health system. Join the discussion on Tuesday, Nov. 16, at 3:30 p.m. CT by registering on Eventbrite.

The episode will feature scholars and medical professionals in the mental health field
to explore inequities in mental healthcare in communities of color. Inspired by a
recent article written by panelist Dr. Ruth Shim, the conversation will focus on the
relationship between the mental health system in the United States and the impacts
of social injustices on access to resources, opportunities and basic protections for
the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) community. Moderator Shelina Davis
is CEO of the Louisiana Public Health Institute where she leads a team of public health
professionals who work to ensure everyone has fair and just opportunities to be healthy
and well.

“Mental health challenges among Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) have
been exacerbated largely due to inequities that have persisted in mental health care
access and quality,” said Davis. “In this episode, we will discuss why these disparities
persist and how we can work to improve BIPOC individuals’ access to mental health
services and resources, and how to build trust and reduce stigma surrounding mental
health.”

The LSU Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs will host the episode in partnership
with Southern University and A&M College’s Nelson Mandela College of Government and
Social Sciences, Louisiana Budget Project, NAACP Louisiana State Conference, and the
LSU Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

Panelists include:

• Shelina Davis, MPH, MSW, Moderator, CEO, Louisiana Public Health Institute
• Lucy Ogbu-Nwobodo, MD, MS, MAS, PGY-4, MGH/McLean Psychiatry Residency
• Ruth Shim, MD, MPH, Luke & Grace Kim Professor in Cultural Psychiatry, University
  of California, Davis School of Medicine

The series will be hosted on Zoom and broadcast live on the Louisiana Budget Project’s
Facebook page. Admission is free, but you must register by close of business Monday,
Nov. 15, on Eventbrite to receive the Zoom meeting access code. Previous episodes are available for viewing
on the Manship School’s YouTube channel. For more information, contact acharbonnet1@lsu.edu.

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The Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs is partnership-driven, action-oriented and dedicated to exploring contemporary issues
at the intersection of mass communication and public life. Its interdisciplinary approach
draws together experts from diverse fields to advance research and dialogue. The intent
is to inspire our communities to think deeply, take action, develop solutions and
broaden knowledge. Underlying the Center’s endeavors is to strengthen and advance
the Manship School’s national and state leadership in media and politics.

The Nelson Mandela College of Government & Social Sciences at Southern University
and A&M College aims to provide opportunities for a diverse student population to achieve a high-quality
educational experience, to engage in scholarly research, creative activities and meaningful
public service to the community, the state, the nation, and global environment. Located
on the campus of Southern University and A&M College, the flagship of the nation's
only HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) System, the College offers
six baccalaureate, four masters, and one doctoral degree program.

The Louisiana Budget Project (LBP) monitors and reports on state public policies and how they affect Louisiana’s low-
to moderate-income families. Using research, outreach and advocacy, LBP educates policymakers,
the nonprofit community and the public about the economic and racial barriers that
Louisianans face each day, and looks for solutions that can create a more widely shared
prosperity.

The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of
all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination.

The LSU Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion is a division of the Office of Academic Affairs and provides support, referral, and
information to students, faculty, and staff on issues and concerns related to diversity,
equity, and inclusion. For more information, please visit lsu.edu/diversity. 

This press release was produced by Louisiana State University. The views expressed here are the author’s own.