Impact of Inequity & COVID-19 on the Mental Health of Black Youth

In 2020, the threat to the physical and mental well-being of Black youth is especially high. COVID-19 and acts of police brutality nationwide have increased the stress and sense of social isolation young Black people experience. Additionally, according to the Congressional Black Caucus, the rate of suicide among Black youth is rising faster than any other racial/ethnic group. Together, these factors put the mental health of Black youth, particularly at risk. From parents and caregivers to educators and concerned citizens, this is an issue that affects us all.

Watch this critical discussion on the state of mental health among Black youth to destigmatize mental illness and learn about available resources.

Download the Well Beings Central Florida Mental Health Toolkit.

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Panel Discussion: Reflections on Harbor from the Holocaust

Watch this recorded Zoom panel discussion on the new PBS documentary Harbor from the Holocaust, which chronicles the story of nearly 20,000 Jewish refugees who fled Nazi-occupied Europe during World War II, to the Chinese port city of Shanghai. Hear a multi-generational discussion of the extraordinary relationship of these Jews and their adopted city of Shanghai, and the lessons of empathy and action that we can apply today. Speakers featured:

• Violet Du Feng, Director, Harbor from the Holocaust
• Joanie Holzer Schirm, Author, My Dearest Boy
• Sigmund Tobias, Survivor, featured in Harbor from the Holocaust
• Frank Xu, Manager of Languages and Literature, Brooklyn Library and Shanghai historian

This discussion took place in partnership with the Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida.

Members of the community that range from politicians to professors share their thoughts and experiences about systemic racism in America. Click here to see all the videos in the playlist.

Book Lists & Articles:

• Adult Books About Race

Race Matters: Talking to Children About Race:

• WUCF Resources for Talking to Children About Race

WUCF News:

• WUCF to Address Race and Racism with Special Programming

WUCF Statement:

• WUCF Addresses Racism

The Peace and Justice Institute at Valencia College promotes peace and justice for all. Their aim is to nurture an inclusive, caring and respectful environment on campus and within our community - one where conflict leads to growth and transformation, rather than violence or aggression.

Visit their website to find out about community race conversations that they will be hosting in the coming weeks. Learn more here.

• The Talk – Race in America
• Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise on American Masters
• The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution on Independent Lens
• Winnie on Independent Lens
• Tell Them We Are Rising on Independent Lens
• Rat Film on Independent Lens
• John Lewis: Get in the Way
• Black America Since MLK: And Still I Rise
• Reconstruction: America After the Civil War
• The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross
• Policing the Police on Frontline
• Let's Talk - How To Talk To Kids About Race

A Question of Race: Answers for Kids -- Virtual Q&A with the Experts

Following up on our NewsNight Conversations special, we invited you to ask our experts in child psychology, social justice and education your questions about talking to children (from birth upwards) about racism, current events stemming from George Floyd's death and raising the next generation to be advocates for themselves and others.

Thank you to everyone who joined us. Watch the recording of the event below.

NewsNight Conversations: A Question of Race: Answers for Kids

Experts in child psychology, social justice and education discuss how to talk to children about racism, current events stemming from George Floyd's death and raising the next generation to be advocates for themselves and others.

Featuring:

• Rudy Darden, Valencia College Peace and Justice Institute Facilitator and Professor of English
• Kimberly Renk, Ph.D., UCF Associate Professor of Psychology
• Ann Shillingford-Butler, Ph.D., UCF Associate Professor of Counselor Education.

We are a country in crisis. America is grappling with the impact of racism, past and present, in our communities. What do you want to happen in this moment? How do you hope it will change America, your community, and yourself?

There is now a new prompt to help provide a safe platform for people to share stories about what they’re feeling or experiencing: "Now is the time..." Share how you feel, visitwucf.org/americanportrait

What we are living through is one more part of the American experience. And American Portrait would not be complete without your voice in it.