Description

Upon completion of this conference, participants will be able to:

1. Explore how mental health stigma affects help-seeking and access to care across individual, interpersonal, and systemic levels within Black and Brown communities.
2. Examine how systemic stigma, historical mistrust, and institutional racism contribute to disparities in mental health and cause delays in treatment.
3. Educate administrative social work leaders on how organizational structures and leadership practices can perpetuate or reduce mental health stigma.
4. Empower administrative social work leaders to implement culturally responsive strategies that reduce mental health stigma and improve equitable access to care.

Presenter Bio:

Sheenna McKenzie is pursuing her Doctor of Social Work (DSW) at the University of Kentucky. She completed her Associate of Arts at Polk State College in 2009, her Bachelor of Social Work at Florida A&M University in 2013, and her Master of Social Work in 2015. Currently, she works as a travel medical social worker, supporting high-acuity patients across healthcare systems on the West Coast in acute-care hospitals.

Ms. McKenzie brings over ten years of professional expertise in psychosocial assessments, mental health evaluations, crisis intervention, and complex discharge planning. Her approach is rooted in trauma-informed, culturally responsive social work, with a focus on interdisciplinary teamwork and on advocating for historically marginalized communities.

Ms. McKenzie’s academic focus is on mental health stigma, especially its impact on Black and Brown communities. Her doctoral capstone analyzes stigma as a structural problem influenced by organizational practices, leadership choices, and policies. Drawing on critical race theory, intersectionality, and transformational leadership, she presents an equity-focused framework to help social work leaders reduce stigma, restore trust, and enhance mental health care experiences.

Ms. McKenzie’s academic and professional work demonstrates a commitment to promoting equity, accountability, and culturally affirming practices in mental health and healthcare systems. She is strongly dedicated to advocating for patients and communities affected by systemic barriers to care.

Delivery Method: Live Interactive Training via Zoom Video Conferencing

Session not eligible for CE credit.

Target Audience: This conference is intended for social workers and students.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in these presentations are those of the individual presenters and do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of the University of Kentucky or the College of Social Work. The inclusion of any topics, perspectives, or discussions is intended for academic engagement and does not constitute endorsement by the institution.