Senior Karah McDowell, founder and president of Black Student Alliance (BSA), has felt the effects of African American mental health being underrepresented first hand.
“Even though I’m African American and MHS is predominately white, I think that I would have liked to talk to somebody that looked like me about the mental health problems that are going on,” McDowell said.
Her experience influenced preparation for month’s BSA meeting during Mod 2 of Ac Lab on Thursday, Oct. 9, which was centered around mental health to create awareness about mental illness within the African American community, McDowell said.
“A lot of people are left undiagnosed with mental illnesses throughout my community,” McDowell said. “It’s just a very taboo subject so I thought that since we are all in high school and this is one of the most stressful years of our life that it would be a great time to reflect.”
McDowell created BSA to provide a sense of community and a safe space for other students in the Black community at MHS.
“I will always be able to relate on a different level and on a deeper level with someone that looks like me,” McDowell said.
Senior Micah Rogers, vice president of BSA, said members of the club created uplifting cards and notes for teachers, friends and other students during the meeting.
“It’s important to acknowledge people, and you never know what they’re going through,” Rodgers said. “The smallest ‘hey, I see you’ can go far.”
Rodgers said he hopes the meeting will provide a chance for honest discussion about important topics such as mental health within marginalized communities.
“Our meeting will allow for deeper connections and honest discussions among our members, providing a space they might not have in their normal everyday lives,” Rodgers said.
Maria Stull, BSA sponsor, said she notices special connections within the members of the club.
“I think they appreciate having a place where they can gather and create a sense of community and talk about tough issues that they might be having or see in their community,” Stull said. “They motivate each other to be the best versions of themselves.”
BSA is currently planning activities for Black History Month in February, Stull said.
