EAST PEORIA (25News Now) -In honor of Black History Month, Illinois Central College (ICC) hosted a discussion about Black mental health Wednesday at its East Peoria campus.
Dozens of students gathered to learn more about mental health in the Black community while getting access to counseling services.
Many even competed in Black history trivia.
Brooke Poling, a peer support counselor at ICC pointed to the reading materials too.
“We have a resource library. The books we have today are on racialized trauma and how it’s passed down. Students can check those books out or talk with us about those topics,” said Poling.
Black history trivia involved multiple rounds of interactive games that taught students about prominent figures in Black American history.
Dr. Lonetta Oliver, Dean of the Humanities Department and the founder of the Minority Student Retention Team, says the goal for the team is to build community among minorities on campus, acknowledge their challenges, and provide resources to help them succeed as a student.
“Having events like this improves students’ mental health. When you feel you belong somewhere, you have an easier time overcoming challenges and recognizing when you have been harmed,” said Oliver.
ICC is hosting several Black history events throughout February on both the East Peoria and Peoria campuses.
For more information on Wellness Wednesdays and other events at ICC, click here.
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