When Wellbeing Is White

From Vanessa Maria Wilson (Executive Producer) and Pierre Amiral Niyongira (Director) comes the film ‘When Well-being is White: The Mental Health of Black Students’. The documentary explores the experiences of black students at Bristol University and shines a light on some of the wellbeing issues that students have faced. The University of Bristol’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Survey (2018) found that BME student’s biggest barrier for accessing support for emotional or mental health problems was the feeling that “no one will understand”. This barrier was experienced by 32% of BME students compared to 21% of white students. Many Black students have suggested that much of their mental health woes exist as a double burden in higher education institutions, as they often regularly combat struggles related to racism, on top of whatever mental health issues they may have. Often these are as a result of racial attitudes of the white majority around them. The goal of the documentary is to empower black students and allow their voices to be heard. There is a need for Universities to do better, which means understanding the alienating situations that their marginalised students face. The documentary amplifies the conversation about the need for more practical solutions. Wellbeing services need to represent the total student population if they are to be effective. Highlighting the facts and voices that inspire people to acknowledge the mental health of underrepresented groups is pivotal to driving for change in the future. The film features contributions from Yannick Yalipende (Master’s Student), Nasra Ayub (Former Undergraduate Education Officer), Julio Mkok (Current Union Affairs Officer), and Robiu Salisu (Student Inclusion Officer). Special thanks to the sponsor of the documentary, Bristol Student’s Union.