Disability Justice & Mental Health: Community Building Circle for Undergraduate Students

This is a community building circle designed by and for graduate students at Tulane. The event is focused on dismantling ableism (both internalized and systemic) that exacerbates and stigmatizes people living with mental illness and mental health challenges. This space is open to both allies and people who identify as neurodivergent, "Mad", mentally ill, etc. 

We will be looking at the principles and practices of disability justice and what we can learn from disabled organizers around the world who have fought together against systems, stigma and the ableist norms of higher education. 

Community building circles (sometimes called "story circles") are as old as human civilization, and they vary across cultures. But the basic idea is the same: we sit in a circle so we all can see each other and be seen by each other, we each have time to share and time to listen. In circles, we foster human connection and deeper understanding. We find similarities and learn across difference. 

About the Community Engagement Advocates:

The Community Engagement Advocates are student leaders trained to facilitate anti-racism and anti-oppression workshops, dialogues and trainings. These interactive workshops are designed to create brave spaces for students to explore a wide range of topics race, class, gender, sexuality, able-ism, religion, and community engagement. The CEA program works to foster a campus culture of inclusion, equity, justice and empathy, to prepare students to navigate some of society’s most pressing challenges related to power, oppression, and identity. This program is co-run by the Center for Public Service and the Office of Multicultural Affairs.