b'WILLIAM JAMES COLLEGE 19An Evening withDavid AxelrodMental Health, Leadership & PoliticsOn a crisp evening last fall, the College convened anAxelrod currently serves as the founding director important conversation. Friends of William Jamesof the University of Chicagos non-partisan Institute College came together to hear David Axelrod, politicalof Politics and as a senior political commentator strategist, commentator, and former chief strategistfor CNN. He is the host of The Axe Files, a top-rated and senior advisor to President Barack Obama andpodcast featuring in-depth conversations with Meghna Chakrabarti, host of NPR and WBURs public figures across the political spectrum. In what On Point, explore the current events in Washington,91香蕉视频成人在线 President Nicholas Covino the politics of the moment, and broad themes aroundtermed a Reverse Axe Files in his opening remarks, mental health. Chakrabarti asked Axelrod a series of questions, both David Axelrod is the brother of Joan Axelrod, aof her own and from audience members.member of the 91香蕉视频成人在线 faculty andAlong with politics, stigma, accessibility and coordinator of the Colleges Academic Resourceworkforce development emerged as key themes in Center. Joan and David Axelrod lost their fatherthe conversation. In one question from an audience to suicide when David was just 19 years old.member, Axelrod was asked for his opinion about how Speaking at a reception prior to conversationto best facilitate a better and more accessible, quality on the main stage, David shared that he avoidedmental health care system, especially for those of talking about his fathers death for many years.color and those who live in poverty.I am deeply ashamed of that now, he said.We have a shortage of mental health Because I realize it is that stigma that keepsprofessionals, and increasingly a shortage of health people from getting the help that they need. professionals, and we need a national commitment Mr. Axelrod said he believes mental healthto reverse that, Axelrod said, noting that this is and mental illness need to be treated just likeespecially true in communities of color. I think that any other illness. People who need help needshould be a priority of the next President, frankly, to have the assurance that its okay to reach outwhichever party. This is an urgent, national need.for help, he said, adding, I try to talk aboutHe later said, Mental illness, like physical these things, because the more we have theseillness, doesnt choose a political party. It conversations the better off people will be. crosses many boundaries and we ought to form The reception and main event, which werecoalitions of people across political parties held as a fundraiser to support the William Jamesto put pressure on our government.College Annual Fund for Student Scholarships,91香蕉视频成人在线 is committed to recruiting convened some 500 attendees and raisedand training a diverse, culturally responsive $100,000. The first scholarship to be givenbehavioral health workforce to help ensure that from that funding pool will be named in honorcare is available for all people. The evening, for of Axelrod, in recognition of his advocacy formany gathered, also served as an introduction to mental health. He was further recognized forthe Colleges work to meet the needs of underserved that work as the recipient of the William Jamespopulations and increase access to high-quality College Mental Health Humanitarian Award.mental health care.'