October 2021 in the CMGMH |
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Greetings CMGMH Friends & Colleagues!
I think it's time we catch up. As the trees begin to show their autumn colors and the air becomes crisp, there's no better time like the turn of the season to reflect on hurdles cleared and successes earned while also looking ahead to what will be a rewarding, empowering year.
As the quote above, (not so coincidentally) from William James, expresses, one of the most important tools we have is hope, particularly the kind that is shared with others. There's always an opportunity to devote collective positive energy toward the thoughts, wishes, and causes that we believe strongly in.
This season I hope we all can agree how gratifying it is to be a part of a forward-thinking, encouraging community that is passionate about undertaking important initiatives.
What positive images of the future will you give your energy to this season?
I look forward to sharing highlights, resources, and upcoming events that will hopefully inspire you to celebrate your accomplishments, stay connected, and continue moving toward creating progress we are proud of.
All the Best,
Anna Ustun
Program Coordinator, Center for Workforce Development
AmeriCorps VISTA Member
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An Update from our CMGMH Leaders |
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On September 11th and 12th, 2021, the Program Directors of the Center for Multicultural & Global Mental Health enjoyed a weekend in New Hampshire. This quality time in a beautiful setting was valuable to reflect on CMGMH's past 6 years of success, progress, and hard work. Let's thank CMGMH's Co-Directors, Dr. Jill Bloom (Director, Global Mental Health Concentration) & Dr. Natalie Cort (Director, Black Mental Health Graduate Academy) as well as Dr. Mari Carmen Bennasar (Director, Latino Mental Health Concentration), Dr. Shani Turner (Director, African & Caribbean Mental Health Concentration), and Dr. Catherine Vuky (Director, Asian Mental Health Concentration) for their hard work as we enter into CMGMH's 2021-2022 Year of Community Engagement & Action!
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Want a quick overview of CMGMH's concentrations?
Hear from the directors of the African & Caribbean Mental Health, Asian Mental Health, Latino Mental Health, and Global Mental Health Programs in this short video!
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Marta E. Pagan-Ortiz, PhD
Marta E. Pagan-Ortiz, PhD, is an assistant professor in the Clinical Psychology PsyD program. Prior to this, she completed a postdoctoral fellowship specializing in trauma at the Victims of Violence Program at Cambridge Health Alliance/Harvard Medical School. Originally from Puerto Rico, Marta has lived and worked in the Greater Boston area for the last 12 years. She received her PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Boston. Marta is deeply committed to issues regarding the health of historically marginalized populations and social justice. Her clinical work has primarily focused on the areas of Latinx health and trauma. Her scholarship has been in the areas of health disparities, technology and health, and the impact of structural violence. In addition to her position at WJC, Marta is also a member of the Board of Directors of Our Bodies Ourselves.
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Gabrielle Palmer, M.A., CAGS, NCSP
Gabrielle Palmer, M.A., CAGS, NCSP, is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist who earned her CAGS at William James College. She earned a B.A. in Psychology at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst with a double minor in African American Studies and Education as well as a Certificate in Civic Engagement and Public Service. Currently, she is Teaching Faculty in the B.S. in Psychology and Human Services, works as the Coordinator of Mentorship and Workforce Development Programs at William James College, and the Black Mental Health Graduate Academy Administrator who oversees the Academy’s Peer Mentorship Program. Previously, Gabrielle worked as a K-12 School Psychologist at South Shore Charter Public School. Her professional interests include culturally responsive services, multicultural and equitable education, and dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline.
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Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month |
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Check out a collection of stories from or about 31 different individuals who have enriched our shared American Culture:
Learn by listening to the many voices of Hispanic and Latina/e/o/x storytellers.
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Sisters Mar and Maria Cruz are preserving the legacy of this dance of resistance |
Watch and learn how they see teaching Bomba as a way to preserve the legacy of this dance and of their Afro Latino culture in an episode of If Cities Could Dance.
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Journalist Maria Hinojosa discusses her reporting on the pandemic’s effect on Latinos |
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Want Clinical Psychology Resources?
Articles to Explore:
Helpful Materials:
Associations to Join:
Want to Celebrate Culture?
Check out these handouts:
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An Update from The Global Mental Health Program |
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October 10th: World Mental Health Day
Overall Objective: To raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilize efforts in support of mental health. The Day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.
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The Role of COVID-19: Some groups, including health and other frontline workers, students, people living alone, and those with pre-existing mental health conditions, have been particularly affected. And services for mental, neurological and substance use disorders have been significantly disrupted.
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Cause for optimism: During the World Health Assembly in May 2021, governments from around the world recognized the need to scale up quality mental health services at all levels. And some countries have found new ways of providing mental health care to their populations.
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Access the World Health Organization's Campaign HERE
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Students from LMHP shared a video on what being Latinx means to them. The video captures the rich history and culture of the Latinx population, and celebrates today's culture. The background music was specifically chosen to touch on the sociopolitical context many Latinx people find themselves in today. The clips and pictures in this video celebrate a piece of what being Latinx means.
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An Update from The Latino Mental Health Program (LMHP)
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An Update from The African & Caribbean Mental Health Program
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Dr. Shani Turner will be hosting two informational sessions for ACMH. You will get an overview of the concentration and a chance to ask questions.
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Tuesday October 12th from 12pm to 1pm
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Tuesday October 12th and 6pm to 7pm
Meeting ID: 831 9452 9555
Passcode: 732381
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On September 19, 2021, the Black Mental Health Graduate Academy celebrated 14 graduating Scholars who are now Psychologists and Mental Health Counselors: Oluwafunmilayo Aguocha; Adetutu Ajibose; Jasmine Akinsulire; Michelle Codner; Samuel Kwame Dance; Ava Floyd; Carmaudely Galliotte; Beverly Ibeh; Alexis Leca; Simone Matthews; Donicka Pamphile; Carol Rannie; Rosilyn Sanders; Darryl Sweeper, Jr. As they embark on competitive postdoctoral fellowships or exciting job opportunities, we salute their brilliance, hard work, persistence, grit, and dedication.
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The Academy was also proud to induct 10 new talented Scholars who joined in 2021: Edsel Cadet; Kimberlyn Knight; Chinye Nolisa; Jodyann Hanson; Delora Sutton; Ashley Townsend; Siomara Cabral-Nascimento; Olivia Fenty; Austin Coffey-Moore; Olamide Samuel. These new Scholars are committed to becoming leaders who advance social justice advocacy and equity in the psychology and mental health counseling fields.
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On September 26, 2021, Dr. Natalie Cort was the guest speaker on the Black Mental Health Matters Show: Watch Here
Dr. Cort spoke about her research on Black women in therapy and diversification of the mental health field.
Black Mental Health Matters is an online talk show and podcast that streams live every Sunday at 1pm EST on Facebook and YouTube (@drkerryann).
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An Update from The Black Mental Health Graduate Academy |
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Introducing: 2021-2022 CMGMH Serving the Underserved Scholarship Fellows |
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On September 30th, 2021, CMGMH welcomed six new Serving the Underserved Scholarship Fellows! We look forward to celebrating their fulfilling academic and professional journeys ahead. Congratulations to: |
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Delora Sutton
Degree Program: Clinical Psychology
Concentration(s): Forensic Psychology, African & Caribbean Mental Health
Delora is an African American woman from Raleigh, NC. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Pre-Dance Therapy from Meredith College and earned her Master of Arts in Dance/Movement Therapy & Counseling from Antioch University New England. She is a Registered Dance/Movement Therapist. Most recently, Delora worked as a Dance/Movement Therapist in a forensic setting at Napa State Hospital with patients found mentally incompetent to stand trial. During her time at Napa State Hospital, Delora's commitment to racial and social justice allowed her the privilege to represent her hospital for a statewide Racial Justice and Equity committee. Delora's research interests include addressing the stigma around mental health services and Black Christian churches. She wants to continue advocating for mental health services to underserved communities and individuals involved in the criminal justice system.
Delora says about being a recipient of the Serving the Underserved Scholarship: "It is an honor and a privilege to have been awarded such a prestigious award. This award lets me know that I am on the right path in my desire of making a difference in underserved communities."
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Emily Rowland
Degree Program: School Psychology
Concentration(s): African & Caribbean Mental Health
Emily is an Irish- American woman who grew up in Winchester, Massachusetts. She attended Stonehill College, majoring in psychology and minoring in political science. Her clinical experiences include working in residential group homes for children with significant trauma histories and interning under an adjustment counselor in a Brockton elementary school. Currently, she works at a group home for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. One of her passions is advocating for the social justice of people with disabilities. She aspires to gain clinical competency in working with diverse populations including children with emotional, social, developmental, and intellectual disabilities. Some of her research interests include resilience, learning disabilities, and the transition to young adulthood for these populations.
Emily feels "honored to be selected as a recipient of the Serving the Underserved Scholarship as I think social justice for people with disabilities is under acknowledged within our society. I am very excited to be [in] a community of others advocating for social justice, and learn from others!"
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Ajaycia Jackson
Degree Program: Counseling Psychology
Concentration(s): African & Caribbean Mental Health
Ajaycia is an African American woman from Mattapan. She received her undergraduate psychology degree from the illustrious HBCU, Clark Atlanta University, in 2019 and is excited to be continuing her education at WJC. She is particularly interested in working with youth and families that come from under-resourced communities with the goal to improve their qualities of life. In the future, Ajaycia hopes to be able to work for herself and start a non-profit to assist the people of her community.
Ajaycia writes about being a recipient of the Serving the Underserved Scholarship: "It is very meaningful to me, to know that there are people who understand and acknowledge my passion and want to help me to make that come true. It's a great feeling truly, and I will definitely use this assistance to my benefit and make this experience worthwhile."
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Denisse Ochoa
Degree Program: Clinical Psychology
Concentration(s): Children & Families of Adversity & Resilience, Neuropsychology
Denisse identifies as Latinx, Ecuadorian, queer, and first generation. She has an M.Ed. in Counseling and worked as a school clinician for a few years before spending a few years volunteering internationally. Her experience has primarily focused on children and adolescents, and their families, in school settings. She is unapologetically committed to the diversification of the field of psychology and believes it is our responsibility to disrupt inequity and proactively advocate for marginalized populations. Following her graduate studies at WJC, she is committed to opening a community center, in an area where there is a lack of mental health care, that provides free and low-cost mental health care and evaluations for communities of color.
Denisse shares about being a recipient of the Serving the Underserved Scholarship: "It feels validating to know that my work is valued by people in power. It feels reinforcing to know that there are people out there who actually put their money where their mouth is and support the development of underserved populations. I am honored. I am thankful. I am 'an underserved' population that gets the opportunity to excel in higher education thanks to funding like this scholarship."
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Janelle Ridley
Degree Program: Organizational Psychology
Concentration(s): Global Mental Health
Janelle Ridley has worked for the Boston Public Schools (BPS) as the Coordinator for System-Involved Youth and is currently in the Boston Mayor’s Office. She is an expert in identifying and implementing services to aid youth in transitioning from detention back to BPS and seeks to intentionally foster educational equity and actively work to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline.
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Guissel Marroquin
Degree Program: Organizational Psychology
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Introducing: 2021-2022 CMGMH Concentration Recruitment Scholarship Awardees |
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On September 30th, 2021, CMGMH also welcomed and celebrated three Concentration
Recruitment Scholarship Awardees! Congratulations to:
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Mia DePaolo
Degree Program: Counseling Psychology
Concentration(s): Health & Behavioral Medicine, Latino Mental Health Program
Kimberlyn Knight
Degree Program: Clinical Psychology
Concentration(s): Global Mental Health, Children & Families of Adversity & Resilience
Aashi Chhabra
Degree Program: Clinical Psychology
Concentration(s): Asian Mental Health
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Words of solidarity from CMGMH:
“My prayers and thoughts are with the Haitian community at this time. The Haitian and Haitian-American community has been through so much within the last few years and hasn’t been treated fairly throughout history. Being from Boston, MA I feel a deep connection to the Haitian community and will continue to stand in support.”
- Dr. Turner
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Register for the Functional Literacy Ministry (FLM) of Haiti Annual Banquet
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Monday, October 11th: Support Amanda Salerno as she runs the Boston Marathon in honor of Dr. Cynthia Lucero & to benefit LMHP
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Fourth year Clinical Psychology PsyD Student Amanda Salerno is running the Boston Marathon to raise funds for students studying to be culturally-responsive providers for Latinx communities. |
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The Cycle of Violence, Victimization, and Trauma: Exploring Mechanisms for Thriving and Healing for BIPOC People and Providers
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Center for Multicultural and Global Mental Health
1 Wells Avenue
Newton, MA 02459
617-327-6777
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