Nonprofit I'RAISE inspiring students of color to pursue careers in mental health
NEW YORK -- Many people of color have a hard time finding a mental health expert of color. There's a nonprofit called I'RAISE that's working to get more minority high school students interested in careers, such as counseling, psychology and other jobs in mental health.
In this Breaking the Stigma: Children and Mental Health report, CBS2 shows you how the organization is helping students help themselves.
Shanequa Moore recently kicked off the first mental health career class at Health Opportunities High School in the Bronx, the same school she graduated from years ago.
"Sometimes, if you have a parent that has depression or a mental disorder, being in that environment, you could be more likely to also get a mental health disorder," said Moore, I'RAISE founder.
Moore grew up in the South Bronx, in poverty and surrounded by crime.
"I was exposed to a lot of community violence. Unfortunately, seeing people that I grew up with murdered. A lot of them are probably not here today because they didn't make it," Moore said. "Now, it's time to take that experience, turn that pain into triumph, and transform lives with kids that are going through the same."
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And Moore triumphed. She earned a bachelor's in psychology and a master's in social work from Columbia University.
Then, 11 years ago, she started the nonprofit I'RAISE, a mentoring program for young girls 9-18 living in NYCHA housing in the North Bronx.
It has since grown into an organization that has reached more than 15,000 students through multiple programs, setting historically underserved boys and girls on the path to success.
The latest effort is the class at Moore's high school alma mater, a safe space for students to talk and learn about mental health.
Senior Jarod Hagan said he was pleasantly surprised.
"I've been in a lot of different settings where people say it's open and people have their own ideas, but this one really had conversation and back-and-forth kind of topics," Hagan said.
"I feel like the class was really amazing and I got to open up with the teachers. Even though this was my first time, I really look forward to this class," Lorna Oppong added.
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During the weekly class, students talk things out, learn to recognize mental illness, and find out ways to help others and themselves. They also learn what it takes to pursue a career in mental health, where there's a great need for professionals of color.
"When they are connected to a therapist of color, they're more likely to do better in therapy for many reasons. One of the reasons is because therapists of color know what kids of color are going through. Lived experience is very powerful. It's something that can't be taught in education or school," Moore said. "I want to see them from high school graduates to going into college to them calling us and saying, 'We finished. I'm going into psychology or to social work or to counseling.' I want to see the program actually create access for them."
If you or someone you know needs help, you can call or text 988 to speak with a trained, caring counselor 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also chat online with a counselor at 988lifeline.org.