A Mental Health Moment: A Conversation about Environmental Racism and Youth Mental Health
When: Thursday, January 23 - 11:30 AM
Duration: 1 hours
Location: Zoom
Event Details:
Young people in the US today are significantly impacted by major social and global issues including climate change, which can contribute to climate anxiety and feelings of hopelessness. While climate change will continue to impact and displace young people and their families, it’s important to recognize that historically marginalized communities will bear the burden of climate change due to environmental racism; a social determinant of health and systemic form of racism.
As climate disasters become more frequent, and amplify intersecting forms of structural oppression, such as poverty, it’s important to consider both the immediate and long term youth mental health impacts. Our young people will continue to experience the deleterious effects of climate change for years to come. Therefore,it is critical for providers to understand the connection between environmental racism and mental health, and how to open up space for dialogue and support, in order to center youth well-being.
This panel discussion will highlight environmental racism as a form of community violence and driver of mental health inequities among young people. Presenters will provide their professional and personal insights of how they work to advance environmental justice, including how culturally-responsive care and trauma-informed practices can be used to address the mental health inequities in youth and families. They will help to build awareness and strengthen mental health providers' capacity for working with and caring for communities disproportionately impacted by environmental racism.
About the Presenters
Matthew Mills is a Lecturer at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte's School of Social Work and serves as the Director of the Race and Social Equity Academy. Residing in Concord, North Carolina, he earned both his BSW and MSW from UNC Charlotte. Beyond his professional roles, Matthew is a dedicated father and husband, as well as a community advocate focused on environmental justice. He has organized panels and webinars with Wells Fargo and delivered a TedxTalk addressing generational changes and challenges in environmental justice and racism, aiming to inspire systemic change.
Avangelyne Padilla earned a Bachelor of Social Work with a minor in Africana Studies from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where she was a Martin Scholar, receiving a full-ride scholarship for high-achieving, low-income students. During her time at UNC Charlotte, she was recognized for her community work and leadership and was awarded the Derrick Griffith Servant Leader Award.
Currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Avangelyne serves as a research assistant, where she supports the North Carolina Benchmarking Project. She also works with Fountainworks, providing project management and facilitation support to address strategic challenges for various public sector organizations.