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DEI Newsletter – May 2023

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Because we honor everyone, this work is for everyone.

Mental Health

MACC is a place where all belong.
Diversity fuels the MACC spirit empowering people in our inclusive community.
We celebrate the uniqueness of each individual and multiple points of view.

Be who you are.
We like it that way.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so this newsletter is dedicated to raising awareness of mental health. Our efforts will focus on education of mental health challenges, and offering support options.

Mental Health Overview

Mental health refers to psychological, emotional, and social well-being. It is just as vital as physical health, and the two are often related. It is important to recognize that mental health can change over time because it is a product of a continual interaction of biological, behavioral, cognitive, developmental, social, and cultural factors.

Self–Care

Paying attention to your mental health is a good way to gauge next steps. Below are some mental health self–care tips to help manage stress, lower risk of illness, and increase energy.

  • Get regular exercise
  • Eat healthy, regular meals and stay hydrated
  • Make sleep a priority
  • Set goals and priorities
  • Practice gratitude
  • Focus on positivity
  • Stay socially connected
  • Develop a sense of meaning and purpose in life
  • Develop coping skills

Check out the following link for 31 Tips to Boost Your Mental Health:
https://www.mhanational.org/31–tips–boost–your–mental–health

 

Mental Health Conditions

When a person is struggling with mental health, they may develop a mental health condition that affects their thoughts, feelings, and actions. These conditions may impact day-to-day living, how we handle stress, and our ability to relate to others. Trauma, abuse, medical conditions, chemical imbalances, alcohol and drug use, and feelings of loneliness or isolation are some factors that may contribute to mental illness.

Prevalence of Mental Health Conditions

Are you aware that 21% of adults experience a mental illness each year? Multiracial and LGBTQIA+ people experience the highest rates.

In 2020:

  • 1 in 5 adults and 1 in 3 young adults (aged 18–25) in the U.S. experienced a mental illness.
  • 1 in 15 adults experienced both a substance abuse disorder and a mental illness.
  • 12+ million adults, 3.8 million young adults, and 3 million adolescents had serious
    thoughts of suicide.
  • 1 in 6 adolescents (aged 12–17) experienced a major depressive episode.

Symptoms of Mental Health Conditions

Mental health conditions can vary in severity, symptoms, and onset. Some common condi-
tions include Anxiety, Depression, Panic Disorders, ADHD, Post–Traumatic Stress Disorder
(PTSD), Personality Disorders, Eating Disorders, Sleep Disorders, and Addiction & Sub-
stance Abuse Disorders.
Common signs of a mental health condition can include the following:
• Excessive worry or fear
• Confused thinking or problems concentrating and learning
• Extreme mood changes
• Avoiding friends and social activities and difficulties relating to other people
• Changes in sleeping habits or feeling tired and low energy
• Changes in eating habits
• Overuse of substances like alcohol or drugs
• Physical ailments without obvious causes

Mental Health Treatment

Only 45% of adults who experience a mental illness each year get treatment. Asian, Black, Hispanic, and multiracial people are less likely than Whites to receive therapy, medication, or self-care. This could be explained by access to mental health services, cul-tural stigma surrounding mental health, discrimination, or a lack of awareness about men-tal health.

Let’s work together to encourage those who are struggling with their mental health to seek out treatment without judgement or prejudice. Show compassion and empathy, make con-nections with those around you, and start a conversation about treatment options, like in-dividual or group therapy and prescription medicine. These are available to help under-stand and cope with thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Where To Get Help

Mental health professionals can often help people reduce symptoms and develop better ways of thinking, feeling, and living. There are a number of professionals who can help: Psychologists, Counselors, Clinicians, Therapists, Clinical Social Workers, Psychiatrists, Nurse Practitioners, and Primary Care Physicians. Reach out to your health insurance, primary care doctor or state/county mental health authority for more resources.

You can also contact the NAMI HelpLine to find out what services and supports are avail-able in your community.

Learn More – Resources

H&H Associates Student Assistance Program:
https://www.macc.edu/student-assistance-program/

CMU Counseling:
https://www.macc.edu/cmu-counseling-center-at-macc-columbia/

National Alliance on Mental Illness:
https://www.nami.org/home

PsychU:
https://psychu.org/

National Institute of Mental Health:
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/

Mental Health Disparities: Diverse Populations:
https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/diversity/education/mental-health-facts#:~:text=Racial%2Fethnic%2C%20gender%2C%20and,of%20awareness%20about%20mental%20health

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/learn/index.htm

Self-care:
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/caring-for-your-mental-health

Ambassador Corner

~ Stephanie Hills, DEI Ambassador

The topic of mental health has been stigmatized for a long time, but almost everyone experiences challenges in life at one time or another that can negatively affect our mental health (Beckjord). As college students, we know all about stress. From doing homework and studying for exams, to filling out FAFSA forms and applications, it seems there is always something more that needs done. A lot of us are also familiar with having more responsibilities than those that are related to school as well. When adding in parental pressure, employment, children, spouses, etc., we potentially have stress from all angles at times. Although there is such a thing as positive stress, too much stress can cause numerous issues. Long-term stress can lead to problems with sleep, both physical and mental health concerns, cognitive issues like forgetfulness and being unable to focus, and dietary changes like eating too much or too little- just to name a few. When it comes to ways to handle stress effectively, there are a few differ-ent options. As Dr. Mohd Abdullah found in his research on coping strategies among college students, “prayer, meditation, and sleep are highly effective coping mecha-nisms for students with academic stress”(Abdullah et al. 4). If able to do so, therapy or counseling services can be beneficial. There are some other alternatives as well such as no-cost virtual groups, relaxation techniques at home, and trying out new coping techniques such as grounding exercises and breathwork, or implementing a new exer-cise program like yoga or meditation. What works to reduce stress for some, might not work for others, so be sure to try out different things to find what works best for you.

If you are interested in additional assistance, MACC also offers a Student Assistance Program that is specifically designed to help students with personal or student/life bal-ance issues (MACC SAP). For more information, click this link, https://www.macc.edu/student-assistance-program/, or reach out to our Dean of Student Affairs and Enroll-ment Management, Michele McCall, at 660-263-4100 ext. 11215.

Works Cited:

Abdullah, Mohd Zulkifli, et al. “Assessing Mental Well-Being among University Stu-dents: Factors Associated and Coping Strategies.”

Global Business & Management Research, vol. 14, July 2022, pp. 155–72. EBSCO-host,
search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip,sso&db=ent&AN=161128847&site=eds-live

Beckjord, Ellen. “Contributor: Covid-19 and Stigma about Mental Health-a Pandemic Silver Lining?” AJMC, AJMC, 14 Oct. 2022,
https://www.ajmc.com/view/contributor-covid-19-and-stigma-about-mental-health-a-pandemic-silver-lining-

“Student Assistance Program.” MACC, 25 Mar. 2022,
https://www.macc.edu/student-assistance-program/.

DEI Newsletter – April 2023

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Because we honor everyone, this work is for everyone.

Neurodiversity

MACC is a place where all belong.
Diversity fuels the MACC spirit empowering people in our inclusive community.
We celebrate the uniqueness of each individual and multiple points of view.

Be who you are.
We like it that way.

Did you know that April is Autism Awareness month? This month we would like to celebrate those on the Autism spectrum and their families. MACC values and supports the need for acceptance and inclusion, empowering all people on the Autism spectrum.

Autism is just one example of a neurodevelopmental difference, falling under the umbrella of neurodiversity. This term refers to the neurological variations of all people, but often seeks to include many developmental conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and/or a wide range of Learning Disabilities1,8.

Dr. Stephen Shore notably said, if you know one person with Autism, then you know one person with Autism2. While there are a few shared common characteristics of ASD, it is a spectrum exhibiting a wide range of indicators in varying degrees. Autism is a single word used to describe millions of different stories3.

People often think of ASD like this:

However, ASD is experienced more like a soundboard with lots of different sliders with a wide range of settings. Some sliders may be “locked in” while others are “variable” depending on the individual and/or situation4.

Shared Common Characteristics of ASD may include5,7:

  • Social Communication and Interaction skill deficits such as: difficulty with eye contact, limited facial expressions, limited tone or speech rhythms, unusual peer-peer interactions, and/or delayed or limited language skills.
  • Repetitive Behaviors and Restrictive Interests, for example: lining up objects, repeating words or phrases, difficulties with minor or major changes in routine, intensively narrow-focused interests, and/or patterned motor movements like flapping hands, spinning, body rocking, or pacing.
  • Other Characteristics like: delayed or limited body movements, delayed or limited executive functioning skills, sensory sensitivity, unusual sleeping or eating habits, and/or unusual emotional reactions.

While it may be perceived that many characteristics of Autism are limiting, it is important to also emphasize that there are a lot of strengths of those on the Autism spectrum:

  • Exceptional loyalty and honesty
  • Precise and detail-oriented
  • Dependable
  • Highly motivated and passionate about unique interests
  • Specialist in topics of interest
  • Bring rare insight to a problem or situation
  • Quirky sense of humor
Considering Students through a Strengths Perspective

Like Dr. Shore stated, it is important that we not pre-judge the abilities or difficulties of someone with ASD simply because of this label. There are numerous myths6 about ASD that circulate from blogs, social media, and other unreliable websites. While we can’t dispel all of these myths in a brief newsletter, it is important that we as a community educate ourselves when working with someone who may be perceived as neurodivergent. For additional information, we encourage you to check out the resources on the next page.

Making our College Community More Neurodivergent-Friendly

Faculty

  • Adopt Universal Design practices13, 14

 

 

Staff 14
  • Hold student orientations
  • Provide multiple points of contact
  • Use roadmaps/checklists
  • Initiate frequent “check-ins” to identify students who may need additional supports

All/College Community

  • Work as partners with MACC Access & ADA Services
  • Support self-advocacy for neurodivergent people
  • Address distractions that lead to sensory overload/distress 14

Resources

  1. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/what-is-neurodiversity-202111232645#:~:text=Neurodiversity%20describes%20the%20idea%20that,are%20not%20viewed%20as%20deficits.
  2. https://ibcces.org/blog/2018/03/23/12748/
  3. https://www.autismspeaks.org/blog/autism-one-word-attempting-describe-millions-different-stories
  4. https://okcmom.com/relax-its-just-autism/
  5. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/signs.html
  6. https://adsd.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/adsdnvgov/content/Programs/Autism/ATAP/Autism%20Myths%20and%20Misconceptions.pdf
  7. https://thompsoncenter.missouri.edu/
  8. https://www.woodhaventeam.org/encircle-technologies/
  9. https://www.macc.edu/access-ada/
  10. https://www.amazon.com/Neurotribes-Legacy-Autism-Future-Neurodiversity/dp/0399185615/ref=asc_df_0399185615/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=266076169372&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12465567698563135152&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1020268&hvtargid=pla-326514704337&psc=1
  11. https://www.templegrandin.com/
  12. https://www.amazon.com/Smart-but-Scattered-Teens-Executive/dp/1609182294/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3A4LCDREERBND&keywords=smart+but+scattered+teens&qid=1676569937&s=books&sprefix=smart+but+scattered+teen%2Cstripbooks%2C100&sr=1-1
  13. https://udlguidelines.cast.org/
  14. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/aut.2021.0042

From the Access Office

Reminders from the Access Office when working with neurodivergent students

  • Each student will have individualized strengths and weaknesses. For example, some neurodivergent students may lack time-management and organizational skills, while others excel with timelines and surpass all expectations with their ability to organize.
  • Regardless of the disability, the previous experiences faculty have had with students should not set up low or high expectations for another student.
  • Students are not obligated to disclose personal information or their disability when arranging accommodations.
  • Conversations between students and faculty about accommodations should take place in a private setting.
  • Encourage students who disclose their neurodiversity to consult with the Access Office about possible accommodations. Students may not need them now in your class, but they might need them in another class.

Ambassador Corner

~ Stephanie Hills, DEI Ambassador

MACC embraces an inclusive environment where we can all enjoy the same opportunities and access to resources. We are each unique individuals with our own mental, physical, and emotional differences and this month we are honoring neurodiversity. Judy Singer, who coined the term neurodiversity, states “ND is not a classificatory term dividing us from them. We are all Neurodiverse. We live on a Neurodiverse planet in which amoral nature generates endless genetic diversity, while we humans have evolved the capacity to make judgments about nature’s bounty. What Neurodiversity brings us is a challenge to find a place for everyone and to distribute the bounty fairly”(Meadows, 2021). Neurodiversity is about more than just restructuring the negative connotation associated with certain diagnostic labels. Just because we process information differently or don’t behave the same as someone else, that doesn’t always mean something negative. Life is experienced differently for all of us, but at MACC, the same resources are accessible to us all. If anyone is struggling with classes, there are services available that might be able to help. LARC offers free tutoring services for all students and for those with a documented disability, the MACC Access and ADA offices have options for classroom adaptations, test readers, extended times on tests, and many more services are available. When it comes to neurodiversity, I think our DEI mission statement says it best, Be who you are. We like it that way.

For anyone wanting more information on MACC accommodations and services offered, please visit our website at https://www.macc.edu/access-ada/ or view a copy of our Access and ADA handbook by copying and pasting this link into your browser: https://www.macc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/FINAL-Access-ADA_Handbook-Fall-2023.pdf.

Sources used:

Meadows, J. (2021, August 12). You’re using the word neurodiversity wrong. Medium. Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://jessemeadows.medium.com/youre-using-the-word-neurodiversity-wrong-e579ffa816a8

Resnick, A. (2023, January 12). What is neurodivergence and what does it mean to be neurodivergent? Verywell Mind. Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-neurodivergence-and-what-does-it-mean-to-be-neurodivergent-5196627

Access and Ada. MACC. (2022, July 26). Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://www.macc.edu/access-ada

MACC DEI Committee sponsors:

Period Product
Supply Drive

All donations will directly benefit the MACC community through the Bare Necessities Pantry.

Get Informed!

  • 1 in 6 MO women between 12 and 44 live below the poverty line.
  • 1 in 4 U.S. students have missed class due to lack of access to period supplies.
  • In MO, period products are taxed at 4.25% creating a burden on many to access these products.

Donate!

Drop off donations to:

  • Financial Aid Office at any location
  • Bare Necessities Pantry at any location
  • Lindsay Reustle in Columbia Room B32

The MACC DEI Committee supports menstrual equity and offers these complimentary products through donations from people like you.

Want help?
Please contact dei@macc.edu.

DEI Newsletter – March 2023

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Because we honor everyone, this work is for everyone.

Sex, Gender, Sexual Orientation

MACC is a place where all belong.
Diversity fuels the MACC spirit empowering people in our inclusive community.
We celebrate the uniqueness of each individual and multiple points of view.

Be who you are.
We like it that way.

Unfortunately, discrimination exists in our communities based on gender and sexuality. How can we make a difference and begin creating a more inclusive environment?

An important way to begin is to gain an understanding of the terminology associated with sex, gender, and sexual orientation. These terms are often misunderstood. Here, we will try to clarify the differences in these terms, as well as provide sources to help us become better allies.

Sex: “A biological construct defined on an anatomical, hormonal, or genetic basis. In the U.S., individuals are assigned a sex at birth based on external genitalia” (American Psychiatric Association, 2022). There are three main categories of sex (HRC Foundation, n.d, PsychCentral, 2022):

Male: XY chromosomes and male genitalia
Female: XX chromosomes and female genitalia
Intersex: reproductive or sexual anatomy (e.g., genitalia, chromosomes, gonads, internal sex organs, hormone production, hormone response, and/or secondary sex traits) that do not fit typical definitions of male or female.

Gender Identity: “One’s innermost concept of self as male, female, a blend of both or neither – how individuals perceive themselves and what they call themselves.” (HRC Foundation, n.d). One’s gender identity can be the same or different from their sex assigned at birth (GLAAD, n.d., HRC Foundation, n.d.).

Cisgender: gender identity and expression align with those typically associated with the sex assigned at birth.
Transgender: gender identity and/or expression that is different from the sex they were thought to be at birth.
Gender-fluid: fluid or unfixed gender identity.
Gender non-conforming: gender identity does not conform to the traditional expectations of gender, or does not fit neatly into a category.

While the graphic below does not highlight all of the complexities of the LGBTQIA+ spectrum, it is a place for people to start their journey to understanding.

Sexual Orientation: “An inherent or immutable enduring emotional, romantic or sexual attraction to other people” (HRC Foundation, n.d.). LGBTQIA+ is an acronym that most people have heard. The acronym continues to evolve as we understand more about sexual orientation. Here are the current most common sexual orientation descriptions (AAUW, n.d., HRC Foundation, n.d.):

Heterosexual or straight: attraction only or almost only to the “other” gender.
Gay: a person who is emotionally, romantically or sexually attracted to members of the same gender.
Lesbian: a woman who is emotionally, romantically or sexually attracted to other women.
Queer: a term people often use to express a spectrum of identities and orientations that are counter to the mainstream. Queer is often used as a catch-all to include many people, including those who do not identify as exclusively straight and/or folks who have non-binary or gender-expansive identities. This term was previously used as a slur, but has been reclaimed by many parts of the LGBTQ+ movement.
Bisexual: a person emotionally, romantically or sexually attracted to more than one sex, gender or gender identity though not necessarily equally or at the same time.
Pansexual and omnisexual: describes someone who has the potential for emotional, romantic or sexual attraction to people of any gender though not necessarily simultaneously, in the same way or to the same degree.
Asexual: refers to a complete or partial lack of sexual attraction or lack of interest in sexual activity with others. Asexuality exists on a spectrum, and asexual people may experience no, little or conditional sexual attraction. This is different from deciding not to have sex with anyone (abstinence or celibacy).

Ally: “Someone who is actively supportive of LGBTQ+ people. It encompasses straight and cis-gender allies, as well as those within the LGBTQ+ community who support each other” (HRC Foundation, n.d.).

Video (more appropriate for staff/faculty): How to be a good LGBTQ+ Ally
Video (more appropriate for students): How to be a better Ally

Ambassador Corner

I recently had the opportunity to attend a DEI training called “Learning to Unlearn”. This training focused on examining the relationships between identity, culture, and power that make up our society. It challenged us to examine our biases and reflect on things we have been exposed to that have shaped our perceptions, while also trying to identify areas for growth. It explored ways to unlearn some of this old information and gave tips for replacing it with new information that aligns with the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. During this training, a quote was mentioned that I thought was very insightful. “It takes curiosity to learn. It takes courage to unlearn. Learning requires the humility to admit what you don’t know today. Unlearning requires the integrity to admit that you were wrong yesterday. Learning is how you evolve. Unlearning is how you keep up as the world evolves” – Alan Grant. Although some would say we have made a lot of progress towards DEI in society, there is more work to be done. I think having the opportunity to attend these trainings to learn more about DEI is very beneficial and helpful in becoming the best versions of our-selves. There are many free online DEI trainings and workshops and I encourage others to look into these great options for additional learning as well. The value of being culturally competent and promoting a DEI centered system with fair treatment for all means a more positive and just society for everyone and I am honored to be a part of the MACC mission to ensure we are continuously striving for this at our college.

References

AAUW. (n.d.). Dimensions of Diversity & Identity, DEI Toolkit: Sexual Orientation. https://www.aauw.org/resources/member/governance-tools/dei-toolkit/dimensions-of-diversity/sexual-orientation/

American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Definitions of Gender, Sex, and Sexual Orientation and Pronoun Usage. https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/diversity/education/transgender-and-gender-nonconforming-patients/definitions-and-pronoun-usage

GLAAD. (n.d.) GLAAD Media Reference Guide, 11th Edition. https://www.glaad.org/reference/trans-terms

Human Rights Campaign Foundation. (n.d.). Glossary of Terms. https://www.hrc.org/resources/glossary-of-terms

PsychCentral. (2022). Sex and Gender: What’s the Difference? https://psychcentral.com/health/sex-vs-gender

 

Additional Resources

Fall 2020 PD Day presentation from The Center Project, Creating a Gender Inclusive Campus: https://macc.instructuremedia.com/embed/427cc9b6-63e9-4d62-bebc-b63db2479c4f

2021 MCCA Presentation, A Look Back and a Look Forward on LGBTQ Rights in Education: https://macc.instructuremedia.com/embed/5063b2f1-6ac2-4886-b87b-33271ce03990

National Geographic Gender Revolution documentary (2017): https://www.natgeotv.com/ca/gender-revolution. This documentary can be found on Disney+ or in the LARC.

Spring 2021 Gender Revolution documentary MACC discussion panel: https://macc.instructuremedia.com/embed/a7c97dc9-689b-4b78-ad97-c24621671d45

https://www.thetrevorproject.org/

https://transequality.org/issues/resources/frequently-asked-questions-about-transgender-people

https://interactadvocates.org/

https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2019/12/asexual-heres-asexual-spectrum-asexual-quiz-everything-else-youre-curious/

https://promoonline.org