Episode 10: Beyond Words - Understanding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as Keys to Relationship and Belonging

Comprehensive school-based mental health initiatives seek to advance mental well-being throughout the school community. At the core of this work are relationships and building a sense of belonging for all students. In this episode, Allyson Forseth, Behavioral Health Initiatives Manager with the WI Association of Family and Children's Agencies is joined by Dr. Armando Hernández, a Licensed Psychologist and Equity-Centered Leader with 20 years of experience specializing in culturally responsive practice, behavioral health consultation, and systems change. Their conversation explores concrete initiatives to grow diversity (mindset), equity (outcomes), and inclusion (relationship) within our school communities, as well as how these strategies serve as a foundation for student success and community connectedness. Acknowledging that this is a challenging and sometimes divisive topic, Dr. Hernández brings a perspective grounded in his cross-system work and invites us to center on curiosity, respect, and relationship while boldly exploring resistance within ourselves and our systems. Episode Transcript  [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1I_7hWbCcjBTczLUs02wOLEW4p1jrPi4B/view?usp=drive_link] Show Notes Coalition for Expanding School-Based Mental Health in Wisconsin [https://www.schoolmentalhealthwisconsin.org/] Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction - Comprehensive School Mental Health  [https://dpi.wi.gov/sspw/mental-health/framework] Wisconsin School Mental Health Framework [https://dpi.wi.gov/sites/default/files/imce/sspw/pdf/CSMH_Overview_Flyer.pdf] National Center for School Mental Health DEIA Resources [https://www.schoolmentalhealth.org/deia/] Othering & Belonging Institute [https://belonging.berkeley.edu/] * Equity vs. Equality  [https://belonging.berkeley.edu/equity-vs-equality-whats-difference] * Targeted Universalism [https://belonging.berkeley.edu/faq-targeted-universalism] National Equity Project - Liberatory Design [https://www.nationalequityproject.org/frameworks/liberatory-design] Toolkit: Design for Belonging by Susie Wise [https://www.designforbelonging.com/] Book: DEI Deconstructed by Lily Zheng [https://lilyzheng.co/home/books/] TRAILS [https://trailstowellness.org/]

Om Podcasten

“School Mental Health Works!” is a quick-dip podcast featuring dialogues on school mental health in Wisconsin. Produced by the Coalition for Expanding School Based Mental Health in Wisconsin, the series highlights the successes and challenges experienced by a range of partners as communities collaborate and show that school mental health works! Episodes feature Coalition board representatives and invited guests – each bringing a unique perspective and experience within Wisconsin’s systems for supporting school mental health. Through thoughtful discussions between mental health providers, school professionals and parents representing lived experience, the series explores each of the six components of Wisconsin’s comprehensive school mental health model including: 1) a continuum of mental health supports; 2) collaboration; 3) needs assessment and resource mapping; 4) mental health referral pathways; 5) sustainability; and 6) data.