July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. In an effort to explore the unique mental health struggles faced by members of racial and ethnic minorities in the United States, we held a roundtable discussion focused on BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) students’ mental health experiences.
About Venus…
Major: Philosophy
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Current Role: Intern, New York City Council Member Sandy Nurse
Future Plans: Law School
What unique mental health struggles do BIPOC people face?
Something that affects racial and ethnic minorities disproportionately is imposter syndrome. Internally you minimize your accomplishments, struggle with anxieties about your skills and talents, and fear being viewed as less capable than your colleagues. Since there’s a scarce representation of different ethnicities in certain professions, you start to doubt yourself—even when you’re as qualified or more qualified than the people around you.
How can mental health issues be more challenging because of a person’s race or ethnicity?
People of color are living in a world where we’re taught to idolize Eurocentric cultures, histories, characteristics, perspectives, and accomplishments. Sometimes you feel like you have to suppress certain parts of your ethnic background to assimilate into your surroundings. At home, you’re taught that you have to work twice as hard to earn the same accolades and respect as your white peers. What makes things worse is that there are so few mental health facilities in underrepresented communities, and very few mental health professionals who are people of color.
“Sometimes you feel like you have to suppress certain parts of your ethnic background to assimilate into your surroundings.” —Venus Scantlebury ’22
In the Black community, many people struggle with mental health issues, but there’s a generational tradition of masking trauma and relying only on religion for help. We have a long way to go when it comes to removing the stigma around mental health and learning to ask for help.
Have you ever faced a mental health issue?
I’ve struggled with an anxiety disorder since I was 14 years old. At first, I was too ashamed to let anyone know because I was taught to be strong and push through rough patches. When I realized that it was more than just a rough patch, I told my mother and she was very supportive. After we talked, I learned she had first-hand experience with mental health issues because she had a panic disorder. She didn’t dismiss my feelings and validated how I felt. It brought us a lot closer.
“I have the tools to confront imposter syndrome in a healthy way because of my experience with minority ethnic groups on campus.” —Venus Scantlebury ’22
How did attending John Jay—a Minority-Serving and Hispanic-Serving Institution—positively impact your mental health?
John Jay was a huge transition from my previous institution because of how diverse the Bloodhound community is. I was surrounded by students who looked like me, and I could connect with other minority students through organizations and clubs such as the Black Student Union (BSU) and Sistah Circle. Becoming Treasurer of BSU was an amazing experience because I had meaningful conversations about being Black in our society. Now, I have the tools to confront imposter syndrome in a healthy way because of my experience with minority ethnic groups on campus.
Students can set up a confidential meeting with a trained mental health professional, free of charge, through our Wellness Center. Faculty and staff can access free, confidential, emotional health, and wellness services through the CUNY Work/Life Program.
