Psychology Grad Challenging Stigma Around Mental Health

ATLANTA — Growing up in the Bahamas, Jessica Clarke (B.A. ’24) lived in a community where people did not express their emotions when they were going through a tough time, which led many to go through their issues alone and suffer in silence. Clarke herself struggled with her own mental health.

“Culture continuously tells you that you can’t express negative emotion,” she explained.

But something changed for Clarke when she took an Advanced Placement (AP) psychology class in 12^th grade. She became enthralled with the subject and realized, “This is it. This is what I want to pursue,” she said.

She discovered psychology was calling her.

Clarke decided to attend college in the United States and chose to make Georgia State her new home. But she found her first year of college in a new country challenging.

“I would be so afraid to speak. I felt like I didn’t know anything,” Clarke said.

But she continued to push through. Along with the support of her family and friends from afar, a few of her professors in the Department of Psychology helped her to find her footing.

“Their passion for the field and willingness to help students wherever they can helped me feel cared about and comfortable as an international student. It made it easier for me to participate in classes and be more engaged,” Clarke said.

During her time at Georgia State, Clarke has not only participated in classes and taken tests, she’s also been part of an applied research team called Mental Health Moments. The team creates evidence-based social media content that promotes the psychological well-being of college students.

Psychology Lecturer Andrea Miller is the faculty adviser for Mental Health Moments. She said Clarke is a standout member of the team.

“Jessica goes above and beyond in content creation, making materials that are useful for not only the team but for psychology classes as a whole. One of her recent videos is going to be used in some future Interpersonal Psychology classes,” Miller said. “Jessica stands out for her work ethic, perseverance, kindness and commitment to serving others.”

Now, Clarke is about to be the first in her family to graduate with a bachelor’s degree, having prevailed over personal and cultural challenges.

Clarke has made it her mission to change the way mental health is viewed, especially in Caribbean countries like the one she grew up in. Having struggled with mental health herself, she wants to use her experiences to push for greater awareness and reduce the stigma that stops people from seeking help.

— Story by Anslee Bunkley

— Photo by Raven Schley