Presenter Name: Gilberto Pérez Jr., Ed.D., MSW, Bienvenido Community Solutions, LLC
Webinar Title/Topic: Mental Health Stigma and the Latinx Immigrant Community
Date & Time: Thursday April 20, 2023, 12:00pm EST-1:30pm EST

Summary:
This webinar will review basic definitions of stigma, prejudice, and discrimination that impact individuals with mental illness or mental health challenges due to migration to another country. Participants will learn the different ways in which mental health stigma can impact one’s ability to function and present effective ways to address stigma within the Latinx immigrant community. Participants will learn about the various structural and social barriers that can lead to possible mental health stigma within the Latinx immigrant community and the impact of not creating an environment that is inclusive for immigrants. Special attention will be given to the development of a mental health promotion program for Latinx immigrants that moves toward community-defined evidence. Emphasis will be given to understanding ways community-based organizations, community health workers, and other health professionals can effectively engage with the Latinx immigrant community through mental health promotion and community engagement.

Objectives:
Participants will:
1. Learn ways that mental health stigma permeates in everyday culture.
2. Gain an understanding of ways in which Latinx immigrants cope with acculturative stress and mental health stigma.
3. Identify structural and social barriers that lead to mental health stigma.
4. Address mental health stigma through mental health promotion and community engagement.

Speaker Bio:
Dr. Gilberto Perez Jr. is the vice president for student life and dean of students at Goshen College and works with a team of professionals that is working to create an inclusive and health environment for all students. Dr. Perez has served as an associate professor of social work and co-director of the Center for Intercultural and International Education. His work in higher education has allowed him to engage young adult students in their quest for identity formation and development as professionals in the making in their college journey. Dr. Perez is also the owner of Bienvenido Community Solutions, LLC, a consulting group that offers facilitator training for group facilitation of the Bienvenido curriculum. Dr. Perez is the founder and author of the Bienvenido curriculum, a mental health promotion curriculum that is nationally recognized and has been implemented in over 13 cities in Indiana and several states in the U.S. Dr. Perez is passionate about community engagement and works at building bridges with health disparities research universities for work in communities of color across the U.S. Dr. Perez earned his Master of Social Work from the Universidad Interamericana in San Juan, PR with an emphasis on direct services. He also earned his doctorate in educational leadership from the University of New England where he wrote about emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions in the Midwest. Dr. Perez enjoys spending time with his friends planning cultural events in the community and creating opportunities to serve others through food drives and scholarship fundraising for college students in the Midwest. Dr. Perez also enjoys playing basketball, walking, and pickleball.

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