I am so glad I took this training with Anita. I much more fully understand the struggles black people have experienced over the years in a way I didn’t before taking this class. Anita talks about wanting the world to be a better, a safer place for her grandson. A world where he won’t have to protest. I want that for him too. So what can I do? I can make a beginning by ‘seeing’ black people rather than pretending they aren’t there. I mean actually making eye contact, saying hello and having conversations. I can notice my racist thinking when it pops up, acknowledge it and decide to change. I must do this and change… for Anita’s grandson.I can notice my racist thinking when it pops up, acknowledge it and decide to change. I must do this and change… for Anita’s grandson.

Participating in Anita’s training helped me re-clarify my commitment to an anti-racist path. She guided our training group deep into traditionally overlooked U.S. history, past and present, and gave each of us space to connect with one another, share experiences, and reflect. Anita expertly achieves a balance between educating on the hard truth of our country’s race dynamics while simultaneously creating a supportive environment in which to connect, share, and learn. Thank you, Anita!

I woke up this morning anticipating another inspirational discussion on my journey toward antiracism and realized that our workshop was over, but my transformation was just beginning. This transformational journey will be ingrained in my head, heart and soul as my realization today is the recognition of the work ahead of me. I was ready and willing to begin the work of antiracism but Anita Russell was the spark and guide. Anita’s approach for this workshop was one that provided accurate information and resources, sensitivity training and support as she gently, yet directly challenged some of my ingrained beliefs. She provided a safe space for me and other members of the group for this self exploration. I loved Anita’s theme throughout the eight weeks which was we each need to take personal responsibility about what happens next and decide own our role in the goal of antiracism. I was able to feel comfortable and challenged due to Anita’s experiential approach, her skill, training and engaging leadership. I am a fan!

Through being a part of this workshop, I have become more aware of the issues of racism in our country, as well as within myself, and the absolute need to become antiracist in order for our country to heal. In sharing her knowledge, experiences, and resources, Anita provided us with a safe place in which to examine and acknowledge our own thoughts and feelings, and in turn, shared hers. One comes away from the workshop realizing this exploring of our country’s real history and its effects must be recognized and acknowledged.

In conclusion Anita challenged us to establish our own goals and plans to work toward antiracism individually and collectively. I highly recommend the participation in this workshop as Anita provides an outstanding opportunity for valued discussions.

I am so grateful to have attended Anita’s program on antiracism. Her brilliance, compassion and gifts of guiding/teaching and leading others opened pathways for participants (including myself) to explore, uncover and work through their own issues to enable growth and transformation in being antiracist. We have all experienced many storms and I am grateful for this opportunity in remembering the truth she so eloquently and compassionately speaks.  I am amazed at her ability to guide each of us to work through our own layers of generational racism to be mindful and present to the different choices we can make each day fueled by truth and awareness.

I loved Anita Russell’s presentation on “Dismantling Racism”! So eye-opening, so convicting, yet so gently delivered. I learned from Anita how little I know about African American history and about the Black experience in this country — why wasn’t that taught in my schools or university?? I learned more about what systemic racism is in the U.S., how it is expressed in corporations and other organizations through assimilation. I told Anita that her voice needs to be multiplied, this presentation was that good. I will never forget the face of baby Cairo or the view from the “top [edge] of the coin.” My sincerest gratitude, Anita!

Our small community, Camanche, Iowa, has been greatly affected by suicide. We have suffered 22 losses during the last 15 years. The knowledge we all took away from [Mental Health First Aid] was priceless. From the moment this class began we were able to relate to the information that was provided to us due to the great communication skills and knowledge of the two Instructors. While mental health is a topic that many wish to not discuss, we feel that the Mental Health First Aid class was essential in bringing the knowledge and awareness our community is striving for. This program is a top-notch service to area communities like ours and we are so grateful for the opportunity to have this program in our area.

The day after I completed the training, my usually reliable friend didn’t come to church services, which was out of character. My roommate and I were concerned because we knew she was struggling with depression and anxiety, so we texted her. She responded that she was having a really bad time and she decided to stay home. It was a red flag, so we left early and went to see her….As soon as we walked into her apartment, the ALGEE action plan I had learned in the training clicked in….She’s working with a counselor and doing much better now. She still has her ups and downs, but when I see her, she seems to be dealing well with her challenges. I’m not sure how differently things would have gone if I hadn’t had a plan to follow in that situation. But thanks to my Mental Health First Aid training, I didn’t have to find out.

Since completing training, I’ve noticed that there is more conversation about mental health among members of our team, and that is helping reduce the stigma associated with behavioral health issues. People at the Clifton Fire Department are using what they learned in the course in their personal lives as well as their professional lives.

The training was well-received by our staff….Focusing on mental health has helped to develop a shared sense of caring in our school district and in the community. Additionally, it has answered many of the questions our staff members faced after experiencing the heartache of student suicides. Finally, parents and community members know that we are doing everything we can to protect the overall health our most valuable assets —our students.”–Robert Underwood, Superintendent of Indian Lake Local Schools (via Ohio.gov)“The course taught me how to get students the help they need, especially in an emergency.

The situation involved a young 24-year-old Army combat veteran suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury and a myriad of other issues….He said he had not slept in five days…the voices in his head were so loud that he couldn’t sleep. At first the voices would tell him to hurt himself, and now the voices were telling him to kill himself…I asked him several times, ‘How can I help you?’ and told him to please ‘let me help you.’ He replied that he didn’t think anything could help him. I asked him directly, ‘Are you thinking about suicide?’ He said he probably would be better off. Then I asked, ‘What would you like to do?’ and ‘What do you think you need to do?’ There was a long pause before he said, ‘One of the voices in my head is telling to check myself into the psychiatric unit at the VA hospital.’ I repeated what he had said, and he said again that he would like to get some help. So,I said, ‘Then that’s what we are going to do.’…Later, the young man called to let me know he arrived at the hospital and was checking himself in. I told him how proud I was of him for getting the help he needed.

I heard about Mental Health First Aid from a church member and immediately saw the need. I come in contact with various individuals who are having a mental health crisis, either themselves or in their family. I’ve taken regular first aid, and I’ve used both, but certainly the opportunities to use Mental Health First Aid are much more abundant.

Mental Health First Aid gives you good, actionable things to do when you see someone struggling. If there was a person choking, you’d want to do the Heimlich, or you’d want to have someone who knew CPR, but when someone is having a panic attack or an anxiety attack, I wasn’t sure what actionable steps to take.

After a devastating personal situation, I decided that what I needed most was a means to put myself on a better track. I selfishly thought I would seek my own path versus trying to mend the brokenness I was experiencing through a relationship that went terribly wrong. I was feeling
stuck, listless, and unsure of my future. I thought my age was a factor and perhaps I thought I was headed toward retirement with nothing left to give or create. While participating in a meeting, I heard of a self-empowerment program that sounded like what I was searching for.
The program offered a “discovery call” which was an excellent way to evaluate my needs and what program was best suited to my needs. It was truly the best way to decide if I were heading in the right direction, and as it turns out, it was! I was so pleased with the program outline, the
process of discovery, and the timing of each session. I was afforded the opportunity to work on thought provoking activities that helped to clarify my way forward. It was a blessing to have the “gift” of clarity when searching through what seems to be a distressing darkness. I also found it
very comforting that if I ever come to that dark place again, I now have the tools to work through that darkness and can be relieved of that “perhaps it’s over” feeling. As a woman of faith, I am quite comfortable in saying that I was led by the Spirit of God to this program because it was
indeed nurturing, empowering, and without a doubt, I have grown beyond my circumstance and what could have been an ending became a new beginning.

Love this Podcast. So personal and open. I feel to transform to a non-racist, one has to liken it to learning a new language. It’s foreign to many, it takes changing your thinking, it takes embracing this new journey, learning new customs, accepting what you thought in a negative mind and expect it to take years before you start thinking in the language of non-racism. I’m so proud of you. Wonderful.

A huge thank you to Anita D. Russell, Founder/CEO The Place to SOAR for providing a safe space to open up and share our stories this morning during The Forbes Funds Anti-Racism Cohort 2.0. Raising awareness, listening, learning, and educating – never stop asking yourself how you can be part of the solution.