Learn Ways to Create an Inclusive Environment for BIPOC Students at Boarding Schools

SPS: Mental Health

The mental health experience of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) students in boarding schools directly affects their academic success, sense of belonging, and overall well-being.

“Experiences of racial microaggressions, isolation and systemic inequities often lead BIPOC students to experience greater stress, anxiety and depression,” says an article in the latest NASW SPS Section Connection newsletter for Mental Health. “When institutions fail to acknowledge these factors, BIPOC students often feel unseen, which affects their mental health. Recognizing these disparities is essential to creating an inclusive environment where all students can thrive emotionally, socially and academically.”

The article’s author is Christina Mierez Cicero, LCSW, a school-based licensed mental health clinician at a boarding school in Connecticut. Cicero lists four key strategies social workers can incorporate in their practices to address these issues. They include:

Supporting students’ adjustment to campus life requires intentional efforts, such as incorporating structured meetings that give students a safe space to share experiences.

Peer support and mentorship programs designed specifically for BIPOC students help foster meaningful connections with peers or mentors who share similar cultural backgrounds and experiences.

Promoting access to mental health services helps BIPOC students feel they have a safe, supportive space to explore and process their feelings and emotions.

A trauma–informed approach and awareness of secondary traumatic stress are essential for addressing the factors that negatively affect BIPOC students’ mental health and academic success.