From Personal Loss to Advocacy: Navigating Mental Health Self-stigma and Emotional Intelligence in Higher Education

From Personal Loss to Advocacy: Navigating Mental Health Self-stigma and Emotional Intelligence in Higher Education This article intertwines personal experience with professional insights to explore the relationship between self-stigma, emotional intelligence (EI), and mental health among college students. Rooted in the author’s transformative journey as an Asian American parent who endured the devastating loss of a child to suicide, this narrative examines the critical need for systemic reforms in higher education to address mental health challenges, particularly for minoritized students. By highlighting the interplay between anti-DEI climates, self-stigma, and limited access to culturally competent care, the article underscores the urgency of embedding emotional intelligence training into student programs. Advocating for a multifaceted approach that integrates DEI principles, mental health literacy campaigns, and evidence-based frameworks such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), the piece aims to foster equitable, supportive environments. Ultimately, it seeks to catalyze research and institutional action that empowers students to thrive academically and personally by overcoming barriers to mental health support. Keywords: Emotional intelligence, self-stigma, mental health, higher education, diversity, equity, inclusion, help-seeking Jolina Halloran serves as the Associate Director of Academic Advising at Pace University in Pleasantville, NY, and is currently in her final semester of the EdD program at Fairleigh Dickenson University. She earned her BBA in Management Information Systems and her MBA in International Business, both from Pace University. After the tragic loss of her 19-year-old son, Jolina and her husband, Brian, founded the Break the Hold Foundation (BTH), dedicated to suicide prevention and mental health education. BTH focuses on teaching Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) STEPS-A, an evidence-based program for adolescents, implemented in several Westchester County NY schools. For more information, please go to https://BTHbreakthehold.org Despite her profound loss, Jolina still believes in the beauty and magic in life. She loves to run, meditate, and practice yoga.