Mental Health in Context: Race, Identity, and Resilience

Catalog 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 wellbeing. No prior knowledge is required - just curiosity, an open mind, and a willingness to engage with challenging but essential conversations.