From Theory to Practice: Conversations for Wellness—Graduate and Professional Student Mental Health

While there is often stigma around seeking mental health services, most people struggle with maintaining mental well-being at some point in their life. This often becomes more challenging depending on our environment and identities. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in four college students have a diagnosable mental illness, with depression being the most common. Furthermore, the prevalence and severity of symptoms is dependent on education, race, gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity. A University of Michigan study showed that half of all graduate students are experiencing psychological distress, with a higher prevalence of mental-health problems than the general highly educated population. Black men experience worse mental health outcomes than any other racial group of men and are also less likely to seek mental health services. Members of the LGBTQI are two to four times more likely to experience a mental health issue. As we all have many identities that contribute to how we perceive and navigate mental health, this mental health mini-series serves to highlight research and foster constructive conversations around identifying signs of mental illness, understanding how our identities impact our mental health, and maintaining mental well-being.





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Speaker: Lisa Kaler, Ph.D., Principal and Consultant, Steiner|Kaler; Panelists: Nneoma Edokobi, Medical Student, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine; Chiamaka U. Ukachukwu, M.S., Ph.D. Candidate, Pharmacology, University of Michigan; Sierra Nance, P

While there is often stigma around seeking mental health services, most people struggle with maintaining mental well-being at some point in their life. This often becomes more challenging depending on our environment and identities. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in four college students have a diagnosable mental illness, with depression being the most prevalent. Furthermore, the prevalence and severity of symptoms is dependent on education, race, gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity. A University of Michigan study showed that half of all graduate students are experiencing psychological distress, with a higher prevalence of mental-health problems than the general highly educated population. Black men experience worse mental health outcomes than any other racial group of men and are also less likely to seek mental health services. Members of the LGBTQI are two to four times more likely to experience a mental health issue. As we all have many identities that contribute to how we perceive and navigate mental health, this mental health mini-series serves to highlight research and foster constructive conversations around identifying signs of mental illness, understanding how our identities impact our mental health, and maintaining mental well-being.

Speaker: Lisa Kaler is an expert in undergraduate and graduate student mental health and well-being. She focuses on how institutions can promote positive mental health through systemic change. Kaler uses a critical lens to understand how mental health issues intersect with social justice. 

Panelists: Nneoma Edokobi, Medical Student, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine; Chiamaka U. Ukachukwu, M.S., Ph.D. Candidate, Pharmacology, University of Michigan; Sierra Nance, Ph.D. Candidate, Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan




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Ed-Dee G. Williams, Postdoctoral Fellow, School of Social Work, University of Michigan

Session Abstract

While there is often stigma around seeking mental health services, most people struggle with maintaining mental well-being at some point in their life. This often becomes more challenging depending on our environment and identities. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in four college students have a diagnosable mental illness, with depression being the most common. Furthermore, the prevalence and severity of symptoms is dependent on education, race, gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Black men experience worse mental health outcomes than any other racial group of men and are also less likely to seek mental health services. As we all have many identities that contribute to how we perceive and navigate mental health, this mental health mini-series serves to highlight research and foster constructive conversations around identifying signs of mental illness, understanding how our identities impact our mental health, and maintaining mental well-being. Ed-Dee Williams will lead this discussion presenting his research on help-seeking behaviors in college-aged black males and how it impacts them as students, husbands, and businessmen.


Ed-Dee Williams Bio


Ed-Dee Williams is a postdoctoral fellow at the Level Up Lab in the University of Michigan School of Social Work. Wiliams completed his Ph.D. in 2021 through the Joint Social Work and Sociology Ph.D. Program at the University of Michigan. He uses a mixed-methods approach and a socio-ecological lens to explore Black boys' experiences with mental health, depression, and their mental health help-seeking behaviors. Ultimately Williams looks to improve school mental health services to better target and support Black boys by integrating Black boys' views, perceptions, and beliefs into available school mental health services. His research also focuses on Black boys with autism and social skill intervention development using simulation-based interventions. He holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a master's of social work degree, specializing in interpersonal practice, mental health, and social policy evaluation from the University of Michigan as well. Prior to pursuing his Ph.D., Williams worked as a clinical social worker for youth experiencing mental health challenges and youth living in residential facilities. He will be joining the faculty at Boston College School of Social Work as an assistant professor in 2023.



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