In this episode of Mental Health Trailblazers: Psychiatric Nurses Speak Up, host Indrias Kassaye is joined by Alice Dressler, a doctoral fellow in the Minority Fellowship Program (MFP), as they discuss her journey to becoming a psychiatric nurse practitioner. This conversation takes place in the context of the 50-year anniversary of the MFP at the American Nurses Association, offering a unique perspective from a current fellow on the continuing importance of the program in addressing unmet behavioral health needs in underserved communities.

Alice shares her story of immigrating to the U.S. in 2017 and how her early life experiences, being born under China’s one-child policy and adopted as an infant, shaped her commitment to healthcare. Initially trained as a civil engineer, Alice decided to pursue nursing after witnessing the mental health struggles of patients and healthcare workers during the pandemic. Now working in Colorado, she serves low-income women and children from minority backgrounds, focusing on mental health care for those with significant trauma histories.

In a particularly powerful segment, Alice reflects on how the rise of anti-Asian sentiment during the pandemic marked her first experience with racism. This personal encounter profoundly deepened her empathy for patients who face racism regularly, giving her a new understanding of how racial discrimination impacts mental health. Her insights underscore the critical need to consider these factors when providing care to underserved populations.

Alice also highlights how the Minority Fellowship Program has been instrumental in her professional development, providing a sense of community and support that reignited her passion for nursing. The program has empowered her to think beyond direct patient care, inspiring her to consider research and policy work aimed at reducing mental health disparities in marginalized communities.

This episode offers a thoughtful exploration of how personal experience, cultural competence, and programs like the MFP are essential in addressing the behavioral health needs of underserved populations. Alice’s journey provides valuable insights for healthcare professionals and advocates alike.

Learn more about Alice Dressler at https://emfp.org/mfp-fellows/alice-dressler

Bonus: Earn Free CNE Credits!

Nurses can earn Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) credits by listening to this episode.

CNE information:

An email will be sent to you at a later date with instructions on how to claim CNE credit.

The American Nurses Association is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

In the season 4 finale of Mental Health Trailblazers, Psychiatric Nurses Speak Up! host Indrias Kassaye sits down with two pivotal figures behind the Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) at the American Nurses Association: Janet Jackson, Project Director, and Samuel Suraphel, Digital Program Manager. Often working behind the scenes, Janet and Samuel are the program's driving force, tirelessly steering its mission to support psychiatric mental health nurses from underrepresented backgrounds and advance psychiatric mental health care for diverse communities.

Throughout this engaging and heartfelt conversation, Janet reflects on the personal stories that connected her to MFP’s mission and shares how she helped transform the program from a state of disarray to a thriving support system for behavioral health nurses. Samuel offers his unique insights into the program’s evolution, highlighting the growing interest among young nurses in psychiatric mental health and the shift in perceptions within the field. Together, they celebrate MFP’s achievements and lay out an ambitious vision for the future, including expanding outreach to high schools, building career pathways, and enhancing digital engagement to reach broader audiences.

Join us for this inspiring episode that not only honors the MFP’s remarkable 50-year legacy but also looks ahead with optimism to the next generation of mental health care providers. As Janet, Samuel, and Indrias celebrate this milestone, they leave us with a powerful reminder: mental health care is essential, and the mission continues.

Listen in to this uplifting conversation and discover the dedication, heart, and leadership propelling MFP’s mission forward.

Free CNE Credits available for listening! Don’t miss this chance to earn continuing education credits while learning from influential voices in nursing today. Tune in to this and all episodes of season 4, celebrating “50 Years: Reflect & Project!” and the lasting impact of the SAMHA Minority Fellowship Program at the American Nurses Association.

CNE information:

An email will be sent to you at a later date with instructions on how to claim CNE credit.

The American Nurses Association is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

In this inspiring episode of Mental Health Trailblazers: Psychiatric Nurses Speak Up, host Indrias Kassaye welcomes Dr. Giovanna de Oliveira, an alumna of the Minority Fellowship Program at the American Nurses Association and Associate Professor at the University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies. Dr. de Oliveira shares her journey from Peru to the U.S., where she discovered her passion for nursing, inspired by the compassionate care of Filipino nurses and her pediatrician father. Over her 28-year career, Dr. de Oliveira has evolved into a psychiatric mental health nurse scientist, deeply committed to addressing mental health disparities in underrepresented communities, particularly among Hispanic populations.

What are the unique mental health challenges facing immigrant communities in the U.S., and how can nurses address them?

How are young Hispanic children and adolescents coping with the pressures of immigration, and what can we do to address their growing mental health needs?

In this powerful conversation, Dr. de Oliveira reflects on her experiences with racism after immigrating to the U.S. and how she overcame challenges to build a successful career in nursing. She candidly shares how those early encounters with discrimination shaped her understanding of cultural sensitivity and fueled her commitment to providing compassionate, culturally competent care.

Dr. de Oliveira also addresses the mental health impact of immigration policies on communities in South Florida, highlighting the trauma, anxiety, and feelings of isolation that many immigrants face. She discusses the rising mental health needs among Hispanic youth, including issues like self-mutilation and substance abuse, as well as the importance of nurses advocating for systemic change to better support immigrant and minority populations.

Whether you're a nursing student, healthcare professional, or mental health advocate, this episode offers a compelling look at the resilience needed to overcome adversity and the critical role nurses play in transforming care for underserved populations. Don't miss it!

Free CNE Credits available for listening! Don’t miss this chance to earn continuing education credits while learning from influential voices in nursing today. Tune in to this and all episodes of season 4, celebrating “50 Years: Reflect & Project!” and the lasting impact of the SAMHA Minority Fellowship Program at the American Nurses Association.

CNE information:

An email will be sent to you at a later date with instructions on how to claim CNE credit.

The American Nurses Association is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

Learn more about Dr Giovanna de Oliveira at https://emfp.org/mfp-fellows/giovanna-c-de-oliveira

Wonkyung Chang made the big move to New York City from her native South Korea to pursue her dream of a career as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. Soon after taking up residence in the big city, COVID swept through transforming life in ways she had never imagined. In addition to the pressures on health care workers was the rise in anti-Asian sentiment that ultimately led the young recent immigrant to relocate to Rochester, NY, which is where we catch up with Wonkyung on this final episode of Season Three of Mental Health Trailblazers, Psychiatric Nurses Speak Up, where we have focused on the mental health crisis affecting youth and adolescents from racial and ethnic minority groups in the United States.

Wonkyung, a SAMHSA Minority Fellowship Program at the American Nurses Association doctoral fellow, joins host Indrias Kassaye to explore the challenges that young Asian Americans face when it comes to mental health. Wonkyung speaks from her own experiences as a young immigrant navigating life in America, as well as her insights gained from research and discussions with professionals working directly with Asian-American youth. Wonkyung shares her recommendations for behavioral health professionals working with Asian American youth and highlights the urgent need for additional culturally competent care providers to enter the workforce to address the unmet needs of a rapidly growing and evolving youth generation.

To learn more about the Minority Fellowship Program at the American Nurses Association at emfp.org

Read more about Wonkyung Chang at https://emfp.org/mfp-fellows/wonkyung-chang

FREE Continuing Nursing Education credits are available for listening to this episode. See details below.

CNE Disclosure:

AMERICAN NURSES ASSOCIATION CENTER FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Required Disclosures to Participants – 2023 ANA MFP Podcast Season 3:

Episode 12: Asian American Youth: Bridging Cultures and Mental Health

Continuing Nursing Education Disclosures:

• Participants may earn 0.5 hours of CNE credit for this session.
• Requirements for CNE credit are to:

1. Listen to the entire podcast.

2. Complete the evaluation after the event.

** Please use the link below to access to complete the evaluation form and to receive your CNE certificate by email. Expiration Date/Deadline: September 2025.

Evaluation Survey Link (opens on September 25, 2023) https://surveys.nursingworld.org/s3/2023-ANA-MFP-Season-3-Episode-12-Podcast-Asian-American-Youth-Bridging-Cultures-and-Mental-Health

The American Nurses Association is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

ANA is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP17219.

Substance use disorders, the impact on adolescents and young people and what behavioral health professionals including psychiatric mental health nurses can do to address the rising toll on the mental health and wellbeing of American youth is in the spotlight for this episode of Mental Health Trailblazers, Psychiatric Nurses Speak Up! SAMHSA Minority Fellowship at the American Nurses Association Alumna, Dr. LaKeetra Josey, who is on the frontlines of efforts to address the mental health impact of increasing substance use disorders among young people, joins host Indrias Kassaye for this exploration of emerging trends in drug use among young people. Dr. Josey spotlights alarming developments including the embrace of increasingly dangerous substances and thrill-seeking behavior – a toxic mix that is fueling rising suicide rates among youth, especially from ethnic and racial minority groups. Dr. Josey also provides insights on community-based interventions and strategies that are being successfully employed by nurses to prevent youth sliding down the dangerous slope of substance abuse and addictions. Sounding the call to action has never been so dire. FREE CNE credits are available for listening to this episode – see details below. To learn more about the Minority Fellowship Program visit www.emfp.org
For more information about Dr. LaKeetra Josey visit https://emfp.org/mfp-fellows/lakeetra-josey

AMERICAN NURSES ASSOCIATION CENTER FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION AND

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Required Disclosures to Participants – 2023 ANA MFP Podcast Season3:

Episode11: Young Minds, Substance Use, and Addiction

Continuing Nursing Education Disclosures:

 Participants may earn 0.5 hours of CNE credit for this session.

 Requirements for CNE credit are to:

1. Listen to the entire podcast.

2. Complete the evaluation after the event.

** Please use the link below to access to complete the evaluation form and to receive your CNE

certificate by email.

Expiration Date/Deadline: September 11, 2025.

Evaluation Survey Link (opens on September 11, 2023) https://surveys.nursingworld.org/s3/2023-ANA-

MFP-Season-3-Episode-11-Podcast-Young-Minds-Substance-Use-and-Addiction

The American Nurses Association is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional

development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

ANA is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP17219.

Our conversations on the mental health related challenges facing young people in America continues with a discussion on the importance of belonging for the mental wellness of adolescents and youth.

Public discourse in America today laments increasing polarization, a society wide retrenchment into siloed communities defined by characteristics which can include race and ethnic identity, religion, political affiliation, perspectives on gender roles and sexual orientation, and a whole host of other factors.

Mental Health Trailblazers, Psychiatric Nurses Speak Up host Indrias Kassaye is joined by SAMHSA Minority Fellowship Program at the American Nurses Association Alumna Tricia Howard in episode 10 for an exploration of the mental health impact of these dynamics for adolescents and young people. Together they dissect what it means to belong, and critically, what happens when young people feel they do not belong, especially in the places and spaces that are essential for their growth and development as human beings, like school?

Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner Tricia Howard who has worked with the public school system for many years, brings valuable insights to this conversation, including recommendations for what behavioral health professionals, especially nurses, can do to ensure young people confronting issues related to their sense of belonging are able to overcome them, succeed and thrive.

FREE CNE credits are available for listening to this episode – see details below.

To learn more about the Minority Fellowship Program visit www.emfp.org
For more information about Tricia Howard visit https://emfp.org/mfp-fellows/tricia-howard

AMERICAN NURSES ASSOCIATION CENTER FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Required Disclosures to Participants – 2023 ANA MFP Podcast Season3:

Episode10: Empowering Youth: Mental Health and Belonging

Continuing Nursing Education Disclosures:

 Participants may earn 0.5 hours of CNE credit for this session.

 Requirements for CNE credit are to:

1. Listen to the entire podcast.

2. Complete the evaluation after the event.

** Please use the link below to access to complete the evaluation form and to receive your CNE certificate by email.

Expiration Date/Deadline: August 28, 2025.

Evaluation Survey Link (opens on August 28, 2023) https://surveys.nursingworld.org/s3/MFP-Podcast-10-

Empowering-Youth-Mental-Health-and-Belonging

The American Nurses Association is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional

development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

ANA is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP17219.

Alarm bells have been ringing about rising rates of suicide among young African American youth for several years now, with present trends suggesting the situation is not getting better. In the not too distant past, however, these same rates were far lower in black communities when compared to the general population.

Dr. Frieda Outlaw, Executive Academic Program Consultant and alumna of the SAMHSA Minority Fellowship Program at the American Nurses Association joins host, Indrias Kassaye, to explore the historical dynamics that have contributed to this reversal.

What were the unforeseen mental health consequences of desegregation and the pursuit of civil rights for communities anticipating life would get better for future generations of black people? What can be done to rebuild the protective factors that young people of color need now to withstand suicidal thoughts? And how can psychiatric mental health nurse clinicians, scientists, researchers and advocates contribute to the healing that must happen if these worrying trends are to be reversed?

Tune in to Season 3, Episode 4 of Mental Health Trailblazers, Psychiatric Nurses Speak Up! for this engaging discussion on African American Youth and Suicide and how the behavioral health workforce can respond to what continues to be a national emergency.

To learn more about the Minority Fellowship Program, visit https://emfp.org

Learn more about Dr. Frieda Outlaw at https://emfp.org/mfp-fellows/freida-h-outlaw

AMERICAN NURSES ASSOCIATION CENTER FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Required Disclosures to Participants – 2023 ANA MFP Podcast Season3: Episode4: African American Youth & Suicide

Continuing Nursing Education Disclosures:

Participants may earn 0.5 hours of CNE credit for this session.

Requirements for CNE credit are to:

Listen to the entire podcast.

Complete the evaluation after the event.

** Please use the link below to access to complete the evaluation form and to receive your CNE certificate by email. Expiration Date/Deadline: June 5, 2025.

Evaluation Survey Link (opens on June 5, 2023): https://surveys.nursingworld.org/s3/MFP-Podcast-4

The American Nurses Association is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

ANA is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP17219.