Panel Title: Housing, Justice, and Mental Health
Panel Abstract (100-150 words)
Having a space to voice the importance of working in fields that impact housing and mental health is critical to the pursuit of justice. In an attempt to seek global change, we will be combining the various experiences of three Mount Holyoke students who are passionate about the fields they focused on. Keishla, an executive assistant at a homeless women and children’s shelter will be covering topics such as crisis aversion, healing from traumas, and the importance of guidance, support, and having the necessary resources in place. Xinxin, who worked as an intern counselor, will mainly focus on mental health for teenagers in China, pointing out the urgent need for additional attention for adolescents, and the relationship between teenagers who have been diagnosed as MDD or GAD and their families. Xinyi, who interned at an architecture firm in Beijing, will be focusing on approaches to urban design and commercial architecture, as well as interrogating modes of architectural production in China.
Speaker 1 Name: Keishla Perez
Speaker 1 Title: Finding purpose through work
Speaker 1 Abstract: Over the course of the summer 2023 I interned at Christina’s House, a nonprofit organization, in Springfield, MA and Hampden, MA. I entered as an assistant to the volunteer and donations coordinator. Then quickly became an assistant to the program manager. During my time there I was able to assist with the coordination of their first tag-sale event, update and create policies and procedures for a new program model they were moving towards, gather statistical data on all participants from the date they were established, interviewed potential residents, conducted tours of the homes, set up bedrooms for new families, and more. The entire experience has positively shifted the trajectory of my life. I have loved being a part of the growth and development of the mothers and children from the beginning of their time at the transitional educational housing program until the day that they leave.
Speaker 2 Name: Xinxin Zhang
Speaker 2 Title: Enhancing Expertise and Empathy: Insights from a Summer Counseling Internship
Speaker 2 Abstract: During the summer of 2023, I participated in a counseling internship at a mental health clinic in my local community. As an intern counselor, I provided support to clients facing various mental health challenges, conducted assessments, and developed treatment plans. My responsibilities also included participating in team meetings, maintaining client records, and engaging in ongoing professional development. This experience deepened my understanding of counseling techniques and the importance of ethical practice. It also challenged me to navigate complex emotions and prioritize self-care. Through my internship, I gained valuable insights into the dynamics of psychological counseling and reinforced my commitment to pursuing a career in this field. My presentation will focus on the practical aspects of counseling internships and the personal growth they facilitate.
Speaker 3 Name: Xinyi Qi
Speaker 3 Abstract: Last fall I interned at Institute of Architecture Design and Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences (ADCAS) in Beijing. As an intern, my responsibilities mainly related to architectural design and research. Over the course of four months, I collaborated with architects and engineers to develop schematic designs, and assisted the architectural team with drafting and designing architectural models using several architectural design softwares. Being able to witness the firm’s design approach and how different it was from the architecture education I received at school, I am more aware of the capitalistic and egotistic nature of the architecture industry, driven by the pursuit of profit and fame. At the end of the day, architecture should not only be about high design, but should also be about social welfare and housing justice.
