Amplifying the mental health of Black university students: A Black, mad and disability studies intersectional inquiry

Project overview

The poor mental health of university students constitutes a contemporary global crisis. Black students’ mental health is particularly at risk due to institutional processes of anti-black racism, ableism and sanism; discrimination often not addressed by theory, policy and practice.

This project addresses this truly intersectional problem. We draw on Black, mad and disability studies to explore and enhance the mental health of Black students in four English universities. We will work with Black students, academics, and professional service colleagues.

Action

1. We will identify responsive theories, concepts, and resources through intersectional conversations between and across Black, mad and disability studies.
2. We will explore Black students’ experiences and aspirations of mental health support across four universities in England.
3. We will develop innovative methodologies that provide opportunities for Black students, universities, and non-academic organisations to collate and share enabling practice.
4. We will identify examples of enabling practice currently existing in the university that can be shared across institutions.
5. Finally, we will raise public debate about the mental health experiences and aspirations of Black university students.

Our work will inform the university, research, and third sectors to promote Black, mad and disabled lives in the academy.