The Stigma that Surrounds
By Kiki Bennett and Abby Koch
With the polarized climate of the United States things like diversity paired with mental health are becoming even more of a hot button issue than it once was.
“Oftentimes people who are a part of a minority group tend to struggle more with mental health because of a lot of stigma that’s attached to their gender, sexuality, or race,” said Bobbi Meister, personal counselor at Morningside.
Some students in these diverse groups may feel excluded and isolated from the rest of the Morningside population. “Half of the campus is absolutely wonderful, but the other half of campus is extremely disrespectful and full of hate,” said one Morningside student, who wished to remain anonymous.
Morningside Junior Olivia Christensen expressed similar frustrations. “This is where people are living, and LGBTQ people are being targeted in their own home. And it's not even a safe place or a place that people feel comfortable” Christensen said.
Meister reports that she has also noticed an uptick of hate on the college’s campus as well as nationally, which further leads to these feelings of isolation causing anxiety. Meister says that this negative climate can lead many students into having thoughts like “I'm so uncomfortable in this setting, I may avoid going to class, and I may isolate myself.”
“I wouldn’t even want to go to class [...] knowing that [this particular student] was going to be there and basically contradict everything that I have to say.” said Christensen, who has struggled with discrimination, name calling, and being belittled in the past.
Campus Pastor Andy Nelson agrees with Meister that there is a need for more education on the topic of addressing diversity and hate. “I think most of what I see has to do with just not knowing, not having been exposed to or experiencing any greater diversity,” said Nelson.
Meister says we must recognize that Morningside is in a less diverse area than the rest of the country, and sometimes “we just don't know what we don't know and so it's just complete ignorance and it's not meant to be vicious and so education can be pretty powerful.”
Starting conversations of diversity is important so that all students can feel this sense of welcome. One faculty member, who wished to remain anonymous, said “Morningside tries hard to be welcoming to all, but it can do better, actively engaging our diverse population and valuing their unique perspectives in the classroom and beyond.”
Meister said she hopes that by starting this conversation, more students can be empowered to speak up for themselves, and they can advocate for themselves, and say ‘Hey, we know this isn't right and something needs to be done.’