Race and Madness

Race and Madness Lecture by Professor Matt Smitt

In this lecture, I explore the historical and contemporary relationship between race and mental health. The experiences of Black people with respect to mental health provides a useful lens through which to understand how mental illness can be at once socially constructed and also heavily influenced by socioeconomic inequalities, including racism. Using examples from the United States, the Francophone world and the UK – and drawing on scholars including Frantz Fanon, Jonathan Metzl, Martin Summers and Mical Raz – I show how ideas about race and racism have influenced how we think about mental health and continue to shape Black experiences of mental health and illness. Scholars such as Frantz Fanon have been at the forefront of ‘reclaiming narratives’, leading change in how we can develop a more nuanced approach to understanding the intersections of mental health and race.

Content warning: Please be aware that I will be discussing issues related to mental health, and illness in the lecture. Race, racism and enslavement will also feature throughout, and can be especially challenging for people with experience of racial discrimination and oppression. While I will not be describing or showing anything related to mental illness in graphic detail, it is possible that the topic will trigger upset feelings, especially for those of you who have experienced mental health problems. If you feel the need to leave the room or the webinar at any time, please feel comfortable in doing so. We will also provide sources of mental health support, specifically tailored for People of Colour, after the lecture.

A hybrid option will be available.

Date: Thursday 24th of October

Time: 12.30pm-1.30pm

Location: TL455 & online

Accessing the venue:

TL455 is located on Level 4 of the Learning & Teaching Building. Accessible and gender-neutral toilets are also available. For full accessibily information, please visit AccessAble.

Host or Publisher Equality&Diversity office