Addressing the mental health crisis among marginalized communities requires a multipronged approach, including training culturally competent counselors who are equipped to serve diverse populations effectively. Bowie State University is leading the charge through its innovative mental health counseling program and partnership with the prestigious National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC).
This year, four Bowie State graduate students each received a $10,000 Minority Fellowship Program grant from the NBCC. This funding will support their counseling education and commitment to underserved communities.
According to Dr. Otis Williams, chair of the Department of Counseling and Psychological Studies at Bowie State University, the NBCC grants will help increase the number of culturally competent mental health counselors in the community.
Recent data highlights the urgency of this issue. A Kaiser Family Foundation poll found 55% of the public views young adult mental health as a crisis in the U.S., with many teenagers unable to access needed services. Deaths due to drug overdoses among adolescents more than doubled from 2018 to 2022, with Hispanic and Black youth experiencing the largest increases.
“Historically, marginalized communities have experienced heightened mental health symptoms coupled with a lack of resources,” Dr. Williams stated. “The events of 2020 have only amplified these problems.”
Bowie State’s program is unique in embedding multiculturalism, advocacy, and social justice throughout the curriculum, rather than offering just a single course on these topics.
Erynne Dixon, one of this year’s NBCC grant recipients, explained that the fellowship opportunity allowed her to connect with others advancing diversity in counseling.
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“It’s more than just the money, which is great, but the learning experiences that I get along with the program have really solidified that this is the field that I want to be in,” she said, adding that connecting with mentors and attending NBCC conferences have been transformative experiences.
Students attend conferences focused on working with marginalized groups like Latinx, refugee and immigrant communities. This approach contrasts with most counseling programs based on “Eurocentric theories and practices” that don’t adequately train counselors to work with people of color, according to Dr. Williams.
Dixon is currently completing her practicum, working with a trauma-focused practice that serves diverse populations.
“Everyone has trauma, and how we deal with it shapes our behavior,” she explained, noting that the work aligns with her interest in multicultural counseling. “It’s been incredibly rewarding.”
Bowie State has just launched a pioneering doctoral program with a specialization in social justice counseling, which Dr. Williams said is one of the few, if not the only, program of its kind in the country.
“We feel our department’s identity is focusing on marginalized communities and people of color,” Dr. Williams said. “So it’s wonderful to see our students living out that identity through programs like the NBCC fellowship.”
As the need for culturally competent care grows, Bowie State’s approach positions it as a leader in increasing access and breaking down barriers for underserved populations. With expanded funding and continued emphasis on diversifying the counseling field, the university is paving the way for more equitable mental health support.
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