McKeith Pearson was one of dozens of Purdue University students who attended a forum Wednesday on mental health in diverse populations.
As a 20-year-old junior, Pearson identifies as African American and gay. He wanted to know what other students' thoughts were on diversity at Purdue.
Although he hasn't experienced mental health issues in the past, he said minorities can begin to feel isolated on a predominantly white campus.
"It's important to know as a black student or a minority where you come from, your roots, because it's easy to lose that here," he said.
The town hall discussion was organized by the College of Liberal Arts Diversity Action Committee. The organizers selected the topic of mental health to address past issues that may have been emotionally harmful to students such as the campus shooting in January, continuing hate crime incidences and the national discussion about suicides on college campuses.
"These were stressful events for everyone in the Purdue community," said Lorraine Kisselburgh, an assistant professor of communication and chairwoman of the committee. "But as a committee, we also recognize that individuals who are marginalized or in minority status might experience greater feelings of isolation, anxiety, and event trauma in such times."
To prepare for the forum, the committee distributed an informal survey to students and found that 56 percent had either experienced mental health challenges or knew a friend who had. The survey was based on 388 responses. The organizers targeted both graduate and undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds.