Mental Health and Disability Awareness Expo
HFC will host a Mental Health and Disability Awareness Expo on Wednesday, October 15, from noon to 2:00 p.m. in the John McDonald Student and Culinary Arts Center (Building M on the main campus).
HFC Student Activities, Counseling, and Assisted Learning Services are sponsoring this event, in which HFC team members and community partners will speak:
- Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network (DWIHN)
- Friends of Detroit Animal Care & Control
- Pet-A-Pet Club, Inc.
- Angela Hospice
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- ACCESS
- Starfish Family Services
- First Step
- Livonia Save Our Youth Coalition
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
- Face Addiction Now (FAN)
- Common Ground
- The Guidance Center
- Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS)
- Bureau of Services for the Blind Persons (BSBP)
- Possibly others
Mental health is as important as physical health
“People must realize our mental health is just as important as our physical health,” said Deb Gates, HFC Licensed Professional Counselor. “We want to reach out to our students with the valuable resources available at the College and the community. We live in trying times. Counselors are here to address wellness concerns.”
There will be interactive wellness programs with students, as well as wellness awareness videos. There will also be resource tables, giveaways, games, snacks, and more. The expo’s objectives are:
- Familiarizing students with resources on the HFC campus and in the community.
- Raising awareness about the diverse experiences of individuals with disabilities, comparing them to a 2-year college vs. a 4-year university.
- Reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness and disabilities and encouraging a culture of belonging at HFC.
Inclusion and advocacy for individuals with disabilities
HFC ALS Counselor Dr. Adriza Caesar is a staunch advocate of people with disabilities. She pointed out that disability awareness is crucial year-round, and it is especially highlighted in July with Disability Pride Month and in October with National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
“Disability Pride is celebrated every July to acknowledge the achievements of individuals with disabilities and the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990," said Caesar. "Also, 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the NDEAM, an annual recognition of the positive impact of people with disabilities in the American workforce. This event began in 1945 as a weeklong national observance of the contributions of people with physical disabilities, and expanded to recognize other disability categories in 1988.”
She continued: “These months are reminders of the inclusion and advocacy of individuals with disabilities. By co-hosting this event, we are promoting the dismantling of the stigma surrounding disabilities and creating a more accessible and equitable environment for HFC students and community members. This will be the first year that ALS is co-hosting such an event, and we are looking forward to this collaborative event, ensuring that the wellness and disability needs of our community are addressed.”
Contact ALS if you require accommodations
If you require accommodations, including interpreting services, to participate in this expo, contact ALS@hfcc.edu two weeks before the event.
For questions or more information about the Mental Health and Disability Awareness Expo, contact Kayla Collins at krcollins3@hfcc.edu.