Stigma presents itself in many forms and can create barriers to accessing care. In this episode, participants will explore how stigma surrounding mental health contributes to these issues.

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze the various forms of stigma that exist within different cultural contexts.

• Explore how stigma creates barriers to seeking mental health care and treatment.

• Identify effective strategies to challenge and reduce mental health stigma within the community.

Guest Speaker: Dr. Ashley Elliott

Ashley Elliott, Psy.D. (also affectionately known as Dr. Vivid) is a Doctor of Clinical Psychology located in Washington, DC. She has a passion for serving those who identify as a Black, Indigenous, Persons of Color, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Dr. Elliott works as a clinician in private practice, a writer, plant medicine educator and mental health/DEI consultant to create more culturally inclusive spaces. In effort to create more inclusive media spaces, Dr. Elliott collaborates with gamers, developers, social media users/influencers, and individuals in Web3 and the Metaverse to make sure platforms promote diversity and mental health awareness.

HU Student: Temitope Crepp

Temitope Creppy is a Junior at Howard University in Washington, D.C., where he majors in Biology and minors in Chemistry. Raised in Chicago, IL, and born in Lagos, Nigeria, Temitope has gained valuable experience working at Howard Hospital on the HIV unit. There, he researched the effects of stigma on patients in healthcare settings, focusing on how it impacts awareness of HIV. His work with a support group has deepened his understanding of these issues, highlighting the importance of addressing stigma in health education.