Gwendolyn S. & Colbert I. King Endowed Chair in Public Policy Lecture Series The State of Our Mental Health: Healing at the Intersection of Medicine, Community, and Faith

The State of Our Mental Health: Healing at the Intersection of Medicine, Community, and Faith

This convening situates mental health within Howard University’s enduring mission to serve as a leader in truth, service, and social justice. Bringing together voices from medicine, community practice, and faith leadership, the discussion underscores the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to addressing the mental health challenges facing students—particularly within Black communities.

The forum will explore emerging trends in student mental health, with special attention to disparities impacting Black male students. Panelists will examine the tension and synergy between clinical interventions and community-based approaches, consider the institutional policy implications for colleges and universities, and elevate faith-informed healing models as culturally responsive pathways to wellness. The conversation will conclude with actionable next steps for HBCUs seeking to build systems of care that are holistic, equitable, and sustainable.