FESI2020 Webinar #3 - November 25, 2020

Decolonizing Mental Health and Well-being



Speakers Jennifer Mullan and Cheryl Woolnough took participants through a conversation on disrupting the myth of neutrality that permeates our approaches to mental health in education. This myth of neutrality contributes to the oppression of racialized and minoritized youth in schooling and beyond. The speakers discussed how the historical trauma of racism and colonization have impacted populations, and continue to influence our current modes of operation through systemic structures that have been left unexamined and unchallenged. The webinar culminated with a discussion on strategies to decolonize mental health practices in Ontario classrooms. The session was moderated by Sayema Chowdhury, co-chair of the FESI 2020-21 organizing committee.