Racism, Diversity and Mental Health - the 2021 Low Beer Memorial Lecture

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the impact of racism, discrimination, and inequality on health and wellbeing, and increased our attention and interest in exploring ways for change. 

On October 14th, Dr. Myrna Lashley, Renate Betts, and Shyam Pillai will address the intricate relations between racism, diversity and mental health from both their professional and lived experience.

Myrna Lashley, PhD, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at McGill University, is an internationally recognized clinical, teaching, and research authority in cultural psychology, serving as an expert consultant to various institutions, to the City of Montreal, and to government and non-governmental agencies at the Canadian federal, provincial, and municipal levels on issues of equity and inclusivity.

Renate Betts is the Executive Director of the Westhaven Elmhurst Community Recreation Association, which caters to children’s social, physical and self-empowerment needs, and helps them evolve and develop in a safe and secure environment. Working with youth from diverse backgrounds and being a child of mixed race provides rich insight into mental health challenges faced by racialized persons of different ages.

Shyam Pillai is a creative arts therapist and a licensed psychotherapist working with individuals, couples, families, and groups who are dealing with mental health issues, relational conflicts, and minor- ity stress issues in LGBTQI and folks of colour. He leads the Pride team at McGill University for students struggling with gender and sexuality issues.

Sean Henry, host of CBC’s Daybreak, will host.

This event is open to the public. Registration is not required. 

This event is held in partnership with AMI-Quebec, the Concordia Department of Psychology, and Concordia's Centre for Clinical Research in Health (CCRH).