Hi everyone! My name is Michael Tsao and I am currently a junior at Duncan majoring in Neuroscience on the pre-med track. I grew up in the suburbs of Houston, I am very proud to call Houston and Rice my home. Although I grew up around the Houston area, I was not familiar with many of the communities and social issues of the city until I participated in the CCL's Civic Immersion program in the summer before my freshman year. Civic Immersion allowed me to familiarize myself with the vibrant communities and unique social issues that make up the fourth largest, most diverse city in the country. The social issue that resonated with me the most during Civic Immersion was healthcare disparities– specifically mental health and how social determinants such as socioeconomic status, housing, and physical environment could have such an outsized impact on the health outcomes of certain communities. It shocked me that the city with quite literally the largest, most robust medical complex in the world still had gaps in health outcomes for some, such as BIPOC and LGBTQ+ populations. That got me thinking that if a sprawling urban center like Houston with so many medical resources was still facing these kind of issues, how would a smaller, rural community with much fewer resources handle them? This question piqued my curiosity in the topic of this ASB project, which is to investigate the barriers, limitations, and potential solutions to mental healthcare access in rural communities. I couldn't be more excited for us to learn more about this social issue and grow in our civic leader journey together!

Hey y'all! My name is Erica Takang and I am currently a junior at Lovett majoring in Political Science and Social Policy Analysis.

Growing up, I noticed significant differences in how people in my hometown experienced healthcare compared to others, and I initially believed that the status quo was unchangeable. Coming from a family where both parents are nurses, healthcare disparities were always a prominent social issue, but like many other systemic problems, they seemed too large to address. It wasn’t until I came to Rice and participated in Civic Immersion that I realized these challenges stem from structural barriers. Through this program, I was introduced to organizations working to dismantle these obstacles, demonstrating that meaningful change is not only possible but actively happening. My academic studies and extracurricular engagements have reinforced the importance of advocacy, education, and action in addressing healthcare inequities.

My interest in rural health disparities deepened during visits to rural Colorado, where I observed firsthand how vulnerable these communities are to healthcare gaps and mental health crises. Research has further confirmed that rural areas, despite having similar rates of mental health issues as urban counterparts, experience poorer outcomes due to being mental health deserts. This ASB program will explore the social determinants of health that contribute to these mental health disparities and examine the structural barriers that worsen outcomes. Together, we will investigate the work being done and explore potential solutions within the current sociopolitical framework to inform sustainable change. 

I look forward to meeting everyone and working together to explore this critical issue, grow as conscientous individuals, and form meaningful connections along the way!