The Rest of Us Webinar Series:  

Fostering Mental Health Among College Students of Color

The Rest of Us is a narrative feature film about student resilience in the face of a mental health crisis on a college campus. Set against the backdrop of 9/11, the film captures the tectonic shifts that have occurred since 2001 and how they have impacted youth mental health. This three-part webinar series uses the film as the basis for sparking important conversations about addressing inequity in mental health, encouraging connectivity, and raising awareness about suicide prevention, with a particular focus on the needs of students of color.

Part 1: Resilience and Self-Care 

Explores how resilience and self-care have a positive effect on mental and physical well-being.

Presenters:
Michael A. Lindsey, MSW, PhD
Executive Director of NYU’s McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research; Martin Silver Professor of Poverty Studies, NYU Silver School of Social Work

Linda G. Mills, JD, LCSW, PhD
Director of The Rest of Us; Lisa Ellen Goldberg Professor, Executive Director of NYU’s Center on Violence and Recovery

Learning Objectives:
 

• Understand the practices of self-care that are vital to building resilience towards managing trauma, stress, and anxiety among college students
• Identify how we build positive community relations, particularly for vulnerable populations that are already facing adversity
• Understand how The Rest of Us can be used as a tool to apply to young people, as well as to parents and educators

Part 2: Combating Loneliness
Examines how loneliness and social isolation are growing issues with serious health concerns, and review strategies for addressing these challenges.

Presenters:
Linda G. Mills, JD, LCSW, PhD
Director of The Rest of Us; Lisa Ellen Goldberg Professor, Executive Director of NYU’s Center on Violence and Recovery

Luis Ramirez, LCSW
NYU Associate Director of Clinical Services

Learning Objectives:
 

• Understand how loneliness and isolation impacts college students of color
• Understand how peer support can help individuals connect to their communities and establish relationships
• Identify how campuses can cultivate a connection and wellbeing that is accessible to all races, ethnicities, abilities, socioeconomic statuses, ages, sexual orientations, gender expressions, religions, cultures, and languages

Part 3: Communication and Technology, Then and Now

Discusses using technology as a vital tool for providing mental health support.

Presenters:
Karen Fortuna, LICSW, PhD
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Dartmouth College

Linda G. Mills, JD, LCSW, PhD
Director of The Rest of Us; Lisa Ellen Goldberg Professor, Executive Director of NYU’s Center on Violence and Recovery

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the evolution, development and implementation of peer mental health digital support

• Understand the value of user-centered digital supports and the intersection with professional supports
• Identify future opportunities relevant to advancing the role of digital support
• Discuss the latest scientific evidence regarding suicide prevention technologies, including low and high-tech resources
• Identify the role of community to supporting one another

Audience:
Middle school - college age students, parents, educators, administrators, faculty, behavioral health providers