For those of us working in mental health, this work is both personal and political. We are often able to point to moments in time that radicalized us to want to transform the system, whether as a result of personal encounters, or those experienced by loved ones. These moments of rupture hold trauma and grief, but they also open up the possibility for radical imagination – inviting us to build systems of care that are rooted in systemic change and lived experience.

In summer 2022, the Institute for the Development of Human Arts hosted three Adelphi University psychology students as interns. Rachel, Giselle, and Alex each came to IDHA with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, and at different points in their professional journeys. Over the course of a summer internship, they all experienced revelations regarding mental health experiences, the system, and their own professional training. While some of these revelations have been experienced as ruptures, they also created openings for new knowledge and understandings of transformative mental health.

We invite you to join us on Thursday, September 22 from 7:30-9 pm EST for a virtual event to explore how moments of rupture can be harnessed to facilitate mental health change. IDHA interns Giselle, Rachel, and Alex will discuss how being part of the organization has shaped how they think about mental health and reshaped their future plans. Posing a series of questions to one another, and spotlighting a polyphony of voices from the IDHA community, there will be ample opportunity for community discussion.

This event is open to mental health professionals, peers, survivors, activists, artists, and mental health advocates of all kinds. We particularly encourage students to join us as we deconstruct what it means to be trained as a “mental health professional,” uplifting the value of unlearning in our education.

Register in advance via Zoom to join. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about how to join.