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“Within the Black community, mental health is seen as a weakness. There are so many barriers that keep the community from wanting to seek this help. Everyone’s mental health matters. We deserve to feel mentally happy and whole inside.”

These words from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville senior public health major Jordan Washington pinpoint one of the reasons why the Association for the Study of African American Life and History established Black Health and Wellness as the theme of this year’s Black Heritage Month celebrated in February. Her words also speak to the importance of her role alongside fellow SIUE senior public health major Kendyll Hansbro as a college ambassador for the Black Girl Health Foundation (BGHF).

“This is a huge opportunity for me,” said Hansbro, of Decatur. “In my future career, I plan to help all, but my target community/population is African American women and their overall mental health. This role is perfect to get my feet wet and to serve as a stepping stone.”

BGHF is a Pennsylvania-based nonprofit that works to improve the health of Black women and girls through education, engagement and empowerment. Jakala Garba, who earned a bachelor’s in public health from the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior in 2016, leads the organization’s College Ambassador Program. When BGHF expanded its outreach to the St. Louis region, Garba immediately thought of her alma mater. She reached out to Nicole Klein, PhD, professor in the Department of Applied Health and undergraduate public health program director, to find qualified Ambassador candidates.

“I credit my education at SIUE in any and every role I take,” Garba said. “I graduated with an adaptable skillset that has allowed me to flourish personally and professionally. The public health program at SIUE was challenging and relevant for what is expected of public health practitioners.”

Klein publicized the Ambassador program to current public health majors, and Washington and Hansbro jumped at the opportunity.

“Through their coursework in instructional strategies and program planning and evaluation projects, Jordan and Kendyll had exactly what was needed for the job,” explained Klein. 

As college ambassadors, Washington and Hansbro serve as outreach coordinators for women in the St. Louis region. They also helped to plan the BGHF’s Minds Matter St. Louis workshop held on February 12. The live virtual event focused on Black women’s health and included remarks from local Black female leaders, yoga and stress reduction workouts, a student panel composed of SIUE students, and more. The pair developed flyers and created a social media campaign to promote the event and engage attendees.

“During the event, I was one of the speakers for the student panel,” said Washington, a St. Louis native. “I answered questions about how it is being an African American woman on the SIUE campus during this pandemic, and how I’ve been keeping my mental health afloat.” 

Involvement in the College Ambassador Program has provided Washington and Hansbro with worthwhile learning opportunities directly related to their area of study. It has also prepared them for success after graduation.

“The combination of their coursework, internships and the Ambassador experience provides Jordan and Kendyll with valuable experience working with a national organization to address an important public health priority–mental health and wellness of Black women,” said Klein.

“Throughout my major and this experience, I’ve realized that mental health can affect an individual in more ways than we know,” added Washington. “But there are many things we, as health professionals, can do to ensure everyone’s mental health is being taken care of.”

Photo: SIUE public health majors (L-R) Jordan Washington and Kendyll Hansbro serve as college ambassadors for the Black Girl Health Foundation.