Let’s Talk: Mental Health with Dr. Saleem
Dr. Saleem gives City of Dreams a reevaluation of the organization’s work on a public display. City of Dreams welcomed this opportunity for reassurance and critique from a professional who believes in the organization. To honor Mental Health Awareness Month, City of Dreams is showcasing its evolving approaches by including notable professionals into the conversation.
This May, City of Dreams is drawing on the research and mind of a newly appointed Board Member to the organization, Dr. Farzana Saleem, PhD. As we expand to more Bayview youth, we encounter new circumstances of poverty, with varying degrees of traumatized youth. We are prompted to routinely reevaluate our approach to address their needs, without faltering in our mission. Appointed to the City of Dreams Board in March, Dr. Saleem connected with us through former board member Marcus Rollins.
Dr. Saleem earned her PhD in Clinical Community Psychology from George Washington University and currently serves as an Assistant Professor at the Graduate School of Education at Stanford University. She earned an APA accredited internship at the L.A. Children’s Hospital with a specialization in trauma and now bases her research on the well-being of BIPOC youth. Dr. Saleem examines familial and racial stressors, psychological health, academics, and community nuances that are involved in the ultimate livelihood of these youth. Read more about Dr. Saleem.
We asked Dr. Saleem about her interpretation of the City of Dreams programs and whether she sees room for new methods of healing. Her take serves as a welcomed analysis of our program goals: What are we doing correctly? How can we improve?
Read Dr. Saleem’s responses below:
With your background and specialization in trauma, how do you see our programs addressing childhood trauma and what methods for healing might we incorporate?
City of Dreams has several programs that can help promote wellness and foster healing for young people who have experienced stress and trauma. For example, the mentorship program connects youth with a positive role model and trusted adult relationship where they can seek support and celebrate accomplishments. Having healthy and supportive relationships can provide a safe space for youth to ask for and receive emotional support and foster self growth. These relationships can help youth feel connected to others and build a healthy sense of self. Another City of Dreams program that can help youth deal with stress and trauma is the Ground Zero Program. This program is designed for youth 13 and up to build self-awareness, confidence, and skills to increase autonomy over their lives and decision making by learning key life lessons that can help them make lasting and meaningful changes. The group is facilitated by two life coaches who prioritize relationship building, communication, and empowerment. In the backdrop of programming, City of Dreams provides a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment, which is essential for youth who have experienced trauma.
Community focused organizations play an important role in supporting youth who have experienced trauma. Other things that organizations like City of Dreams can consider implementing to support youth dealing with trauma are: Provide trauma-informed trainings to adults working with youth, offering evidence-based interventions, connect youth to mental health resources, and build partnerships with other organizations and community groups to create a network of support for youth who have experienced trauma.
2. Bayview is a tightly knit community with problems of violence and poverty. How do you think the community can step up to address how this impacts Bayview youth? How serious is the impact?
Addressing violence and poverty in a community requires a holistic and collaborative approach. First is it important to acknowledge and address the root causes like systemic inequities and racism that perpetuate these concerns. There is a need for advocacy and social change, which can take place in many forms. For example, organizations can help mobilize and empower youth and community members to generate ideas on how they want to address the issue and advocate for policy changes. This can also include community forums, town hall meetings, and other events that encourage community participation. Engaging community members in the process of addressing violence and poverty can help build trust and strengthen community relationships.
Providing access to resources (e.g., food, housing, healthcare) and education programs are also helpful. For example, creating workshops that are responsive to community members' needs that can help break cycles of poverty and violence. Connecting individuals to trusted resources and support can help individuals gain additional knowledge, build community capacity, and foster a sense of empowerment. Brainstorming ideas with the community and facilitating the execution ensures that youth and families have more access to the support they desire and need to resist and overcome violence and poverty.
3. What stood out about City of Dreams that made you want to become a board member? Why do you think organizations like City of Dreams matter?
I am trained as a clinical-community psychologist, focused children and adolescents. I am passionate about supporting youth and families, particularly those who resist and continue to overcome racial and historical disadvantages. A friend told me about the transformative programs and community building at City of Dreams, and shared the opportunity to serve San Francisco youth from underserved communities. New to the area and looking for places to volunteer, I applied for one of the open board positions.
Young people face a range of challenges across development, and I believe that organizations like City of Dreams are essential for supporting our most vulnerable yet valuable youth in many ways such as: providing opportunities for youth leadership and engagement, facilitating positive relationships with adult mentors, connecting youth to programs aimed to foster development and wellness, and increasing access to resources that can support youth and their families. These opportunities can build youth’s psychological health, self-esteem, identity, and increase their awareness of their value and potential.
Interested in getting involved with City of Dreams in a way similar to Dr. Saleem? Visit cityofdreams.com/volunteer to see how.