Mental Health in Context: Race, Identity, and Resilience
Course Description
How does racism shape mental health? This course explores the deep and often unseen ways that racism impacts psychological well-being, from everyday stress to severe psychiatric disorders. Students will examine racism as a fundamental driver of mental health disparities, drawing on historical context, empirical research, and lived experiences. Through engaging discussions, case studies, and interdisciplinary readings, we will explore how racism—both personal and systemic—contributes to depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
Students will reflect on the personal and collective toll of racism, investigating how discrimination, structural inequalities, and intergenerational trauma affect mental health outcomes. We will also explore resilience, resistance, and pathways to healing. Throughout the course, students will connect theory to lived realities, culminating in a final project where they critically apply course concepts to a topic of their choice.
This course provides an accessible introduction to the intersection of race and mental health, equipping students with the tools to critically analyze social determinants of well-being. No prior knowledge is required—just curiosity, an open mind, and a willingness to engage with challenging but essential conversations.
Meet the Instructor: Leslie Adams
“I’m Dr. Leslie Adams, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, where I study mental health disparities, particularly among Black boys and men. I came to study this work because I saw firsthand how mental health struggles in marginalized communities were often overlooked or misunderstood, and I wanted to use research as a tool for change. My research focuses on how structural racism, gender expectations, and daily stressors shape mental health outcomes. I use a mix of research methods—including real-time data collection through smartphones and wearable technology—to understand how experiences like racial discrimination affect depression and suicide risk. My work sits at the intersection of psychology, public health, and technology, and I’m passionate about finding ways to use research to drive meaningful change.”
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