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I'm having a really hard time understanding why the presenter list of this #suicide prevention summit organized by the Mental Health Academy is the way it is on the website: https://www.mentalhealthacademy.net/suicideprevention/aas#speakers @AMHCA1 @AASuicidology #AAS365
1. Where is the BIPOC representation?
2. Why is the ONE person who is a BIPOC listed last?*
3. There is zero diversity of any kind in this lineup.
2. Why is the ONE person who is a BIPOC listed last?*
3. There is zero diversity of any kind in this lineup.
* I am aware that the list is organized "in order of appearance." Usually, someone who closes out an event is prioritized to the top of the list. So...???
I mean, what assumptions should I be making here based on this information? Because I'm making a bunch. I probably don't need to spell it out.
Further, I brought this up here, in this public forum, probably a month ago? Two of the three organizations sponsoring the event acknowledged my questions. And then... nothing was done. @AASuicidology @AMHCA1
Again, what assumptions should I be making?
At the very least, the lack of action demonstrates a lack of care, which is just solidly not acceptable. Not ever, and certainly not NOW.
At the very least, the lack of action demonstrates a lack of care, which is just solidly not acceptable. Not ever, and certainly not NOW.
I don't care if this event is free. I don't care how many people I deeply love and respect are presenting. I won't be there.
I do think that the presenters should be making a ruckus about this, and I don't know why they're not.
I do think that the presenters should be making a ruckus about this, and I don't know why they're not.
It's literally a quick change to the website.
That doesn't fix the problem, of course, but it's the first move. Followed by an apology, and some proof that things will change moving forward.
That doesn't fix the problem, of course, but it's the first move. Followed by an apology, and some proof that things will change moving forward.
I am so tired of begging this field to literally just have a single ounce of respect for people who are not white, or academics, or men, or perceived as fully "sane"/mentally healthy (or just haven't disclosed because of the clear stigma perpetuated in the field).
And I'm so tired of being seen as aggressive or emotional or angry or inappropriate over it.
I do my work out in the open, and all my flaws come with it. But I'm doing something.
And I just want the same of others. Do SOMETHING, @AASuicidology, @AMHCA1.
I do my work out in the open, and all my flaws come with it. But I'm doing something.
And I just want the same of others. Do SOMETHING, @AASuicidology, @AMHCA1.
The number of big names in the field involved here is astounding. And I feel their silence.
Other beefs with this event: that stat about the financial burden of suicide is front and center again. I'm not going to go into that again today, because I did it yesterday or maybe the day before (COVID time is fucked, y'all).
Also there's literally a presentation titled "Suicide: Why Are Older โWhiteโ Men So Vulnerable?" Given the fact that there are already some glaring racial issues at play here, I just.
Look, I know we're all struggling right now. I know everyone deserves some grace. But FUCK, this is so far beyond.
There comes a point where you have to question whether working within a system is worthwhile. I have been at that point for years now, specifically with regard to @AASuicidology, which is an organization I love and have volunteered hundreds (thousands?) of hours to.
My career is what it is, in part, because of AAS. I've met some of my best friends in the world through the org.
...but what's going on doesn't represent my values, or even, like, human values, at this point.
...but what's going on doesn't represent my values, or even, like, human values, at this point.
So what do you do? The number of people I'm probably pissing off right about now is large. And it doesn't feel good to constantly have to call people out. I fucking hate it. But WHAT ARE WE DOING? WHY CAN'T WE DO BETTER?
This is a tangent. Back to my original point: this looks bad and it is bad, @AASuicidology, @AMHCA1. You gotta fix it.
@socworkpodcast @DocForeman @davidwcovington @DC_Psychologist @SPRCtweets @SFreedenthal
@socworkpodcast @DocForeman @davidwcovington @DC_Psychologist @SPRCtweets @SFreedenthal
Systemic racism affects our work, people's desire to live, their suicide deaths. This IS relevant. Silence is violence.
