Intersectional Approaches to Understanding Mental Health

Presented by Student Wellness, Staff Wellness, and the Campus Mental Health Strategy

If we don’t experience something ourselves, how do we become aware that it exists? How do we put ourselves in someone else’s shoes to understand what life experiences are like for them?

In recent years, mental health has become a topic more accepted and discussed in our society. Yet, most educational campaigns and media articles still talk about it in generalities. Research shows that mental health challenges impact us all, but that these impacts are compounded for people also experiencing stigma and discrimination as a result of intersecting identities (race, gender, class, ability, sexuality etc.).

In order for us to build a more caring and empathetic world, we must create space to talk about the impacts and experiences of intersecting identities as they relate to mental health.

Join the University of British Columbia Workplace Wellbeing team for an informative session that will:

• Outline core concepts like mental health literacy, intersectionality and positionality.
• Highlight the impacts of varying risk factors, stigmas and discriminations (homophobia, transphobia, racism, sexism, colonialism, classism, and ableism) on mental health.
• Provide an opportunity to reflect on your own position and identity within the world as a way to foster empathy, compassion and safety.