February 23, 2021 . Volume 76 . Issue 3
Never Lose Hope: A Discussion on Black Mental Health Douglas Taylor Jr. The Southern Digest
On Tuesday, February 9, the Southern University and A&M College Counseling Center partnered with the Black Mental Health Program, Kappa Alpha Psi, and book author Kenyon Glover in hosting a mental health awareness event. They specifically hope to bring attention and awareness to the mental illness experienced within the African American community. Directed by Dr. ValaRay Irving, Director of Southern University’s Counseling Center, and Mr. Carl Watson, the Vice-Chancellor of Student Affairs at Southern University, the event came with the intent on acknowledging mental illness in a time where it is most needed. Mental health is one of the leading causes of death throughout society and is ostracized in everyday discussions. Dr. Irving brought to light how mental illness heavily affects the African American community. She begins to acknowledge the demographic of African Americans within the population of America. Dr. Irving states, “We represent over 13.4% of the
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population, and that is over 60% of people reporting a mental illness in the past year.” As she continues, Dr. Irving recognizes the prevalence of how mental illness leads to depression and suicide among the African American community due to isolation, trauma, and violence. This is stated as “Depression is the
primary reason we see that some people will consider suicide, and it happens every 12 minutes.” Dr. Irving presented a study by race and gender among the African American community and other demographics such as Indian, Caucasian, Hispanic, and Asian Americans. This study shows a similar difference in the
suicide rate of all races between women and men. The rate of suicide among black women and men is 2.9% to 12.0%. Not only was the African American rate seen as so, but other demographics were shown to have a significant doubling in the suicide rate between men and women as well. The guest speaker of the night was Kenyon Glover, a well-known film actor, producer, book author, and former NBA basketball player. Born and raised in Monroe, Louisiana, Glover is the oldest of three siblings and is the author of his latest book, which was published on October 20 of last year. It is entitled, “The Rebirth & Resurrection of a New Man,” and entails Glover’s experiences with depression and suicidal thoughts throughout his life and how he overcame them. Coming out of Neville High School, Glover attended the University of Massachusetts, then transferred to the University of Maine. He played basketball in England, which furthered his placement into the NBA with a chance to play with the See MENTAL HEALTH page 3
Leading the way: Southern University BioJags Kynnedi Jackson The Southern Digest
On Tuesday, February 9, Southern University’s BioJags hosted a student body meeting. This meeting was held via Zoom and was a remarkable success. The BioJags is an organization founded in 2018 during the Fall semester by its current President Jera’Nae Garner-Donald. The purpose of this group is to guide Biology majors through their journey at Southern University. Professor Emmanuel D. Williams, Assistant Professor of Biology and the Pre-Med advisor, stated, “BioJags is perhaps the most effective club on campus. It was created by students, run by students, to help students.” The organization serves as a form of mentorship to students with biology oriented majors. According to BioJags Vice President Anthony Davis, “As an organization we assist majors
With the recent meeting in mind, the BioJags are ready to get things rolling. The call consisted of over fifty members who discussed several future events. All events will still be fun and creative while members interact virtually throughout this pandemic. Ms. Tanganika Johnson, a Biology Professor, and advisor share a few words on the success of the group. She says, “As the advisor of BioJags I am impressed with the student leaders and their ability to get the biology majors involved with what the organization has going DIGEST ART on to improve relations between by hosting a plethora of events we know that studies aren’t the faculty and students within the and programs from Al sessions only factors.” The goal within biology department.” The BioJags have full intentions and IG (Instagram) live sessions the organization is to work with to continue growing as a student developing the interpersonal to assist with extra tutoring for organization. The group can only relationships between students both majors and non-majors to get better. BioJags hope this is a and faculty. To achieve this goal, occupational panels that consist successful semester for the group. the BioJags host Biology Meet of a variety of job opportunities Vice President Davis says that as and Greets which allows for staff for biology majors…while we an organization they “are ready to and students to mingle in a relaxed know our overall goal is to get tackle the semester.” and warming environment. biology majors to graduation,
BLACKHISTORYFACT.
Scientist and mathematician Benjamin Banneker is credited with helping to design the blueprints for Washington, D.C.
When Life Happens: The Challenges of Young Black Women Te’yanah Owens The Southern Digest
With COVID running rampant and with no reason to go anywhere any time soon, one needs to keep their mental health intact to maintian a stable life. On Wednesday evening, February 10, the Collegiate 100 Black Women of Southern University presented a virtual event called “When Life Happens,” where they had an open discussion about the most prevalent issues that young black women experience daily. Myisha Jackson, a licensed counselor, says, “A lot of people have been struggling with the pandemic.” During the event, the C100 women were assisted by a panel of other experienced counselors, authors, and advocates on the journey of knowing and caring for themselves better. The experienced professionals offered advice and guidance on topics like anxiety, managing stress, healing from domestic violence, building healthy relationships, and addressing sexual violence. Before panelists were introduced, the C100 women dropped a link in the Zoom chatbox. It was a game called “Asking for a Friend”. The game allowed students to anonymously ask a licensed counselor about their “hypothetical situations.” They were able to get things off their minds and chests as their responses were sent through Google Forms. Also, in the Zoom chat box, people shared what they were going through and their favorite ways to cope with anxiety and stress. “I hope this is a safe space and you guys can get all the help you need,” said domestic violence counselor Kimberly Spruill to the audience. As the event continued, all speakers had 20 minutes to give information on certain issues and to convey any advice they had. For instance, a topic See C100 page 3
THE OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AND A&M COLLEGE, BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA