Black Men's Mental Health & Wellness Conference Promo Podcast

The "Kelsunn-on-the-Air" Social Work Podcast

The Adelphi University School of Social Work will present “BreaKING the Ice: Black Men’s Mental Health and Wellness Conference,” a conference highlighting the importance of mental health and wellness among Black men, on Saturday, April 30, 9a – 4p on the on the Garden City Campus. The conference is free to attend, but registration is required. Make sure to register soon as seats are filling up fast. The last day to register is April 15, 2022. Here is the link:

https://www.adelphi.edu/events/breaking-the-ice-black-mens-mental-health-and-wellness-conference/

The conference will examine mental health from a holistic standpoint by exploring the multiple issues affecting health and how various institutions interact and reinforce one another.

“In these times of uncertainty, the pandemic coupled with the number of suicide cases amongst Black men, attention must be paid right now to discuss and normalize Black men’s mental health and wellness,” said Schanica Pickens, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and Director of the Masters of Social Work program.

In collaboration with Arron Muller, MSW ’12, CEO of Modify Wellness Inc., and the Adelphi University School of Social Work, “BreaKING the Ice” will feature keynote speaker Damyn Kelly ’83, PhD ’20, JD, president and CEO of Lutheran Social Services of New York, a nonprofit organization that focuses on early childhood education, foster care, immigrant services, supportive housing, immigration legal services and a school for special needs children. Dr. Kelly is one of the foremost social work leaders in New York and is one of the rare Black executives heading a large social service organization. He is a frequent speaker, presenter and lecturer on issues pertaining to diversity, equity and inclusion with a special emphasis on the lack of executives of color in the nonprofit sector. He also emphasizes the lack of Black males in leadership positions.

Moderating the conference is Alain Berrouet, director of intergovernmental affairs for the New York City Department of Education. The conference will include a distinguished panel of community leaders, alumni and therapists. Panelists will share their stories, experiences, coping skills and resources for achieving mental wellness.