Tiffin University Mental Health Summit

On October 30, Tiffin University hosted a Mental Health Summit featuring keynote speaker Daryl "DMC" McDaniels, from RUN DMC and a Local Mental Health and AOD (Alcohol and Other Drugs) Panel.

The panel included Cecil Holston II, LMSW, who brings over 14 years of experience and is the founder of Black Clinicians of Toledo as well as visionary behind the Empowering Minds Summit. Joshua Bower, MSW, LISW-S, who has been in the mental health field for 17 years and trained in various types of therapy, but most notably, trauma-informed care that helps individuals heal from their past traumatic experiences. Dr. Meagan McBride, LPCC-s, CTRP, EMDRt, is a dedicated mental health professional with over a decade of experience serving individuals across inpatient, outpatient and educational settings. Jessica Richards, MSW, LISWS, has nearly 20 years of experience in the field with the last 16 years working in Community Mental Health, where she has found a passion for helping those with mental health and substance use disorders.

Moderated by Tiffin University's Student Body Vice President Mar'Nay Stewart, the panel began the summit in a Q&A format giving honest, firsthand insights into the profession, the realities of mental health work and the importance of asking for support when needed. One highlight was a discussion on the challenges and successes in working with diverse demographics. Each panelist emphasized the importance of meeting clients where they are, respecting individual differences and addressing representation issues in the field. Holston highlighted the need for more black male therapists, while McBride discussed the challenges of providing specialized care in rural areas. All panelists stressed the fact that social media can be a double-edged sword, recognizing it as a valuable tool for finding community and support, but also cautioning against its potential dangers. Social media, they noted, can lead people to self-diagnosis on platforms like TikTok. The panel emphasized the importance of seeking help from mental health professionals rather than relying solely on self-diagnosis or comparisons found online. They also highlighted telehealth and how it has expanded mental health access, allowing 24-hour care. Each of the panelists encouraged students to prioritize their mental well-being and empowered them to advocate for mental health awareness in their own lives and communities.

Following the Q&A discussion, Daryl "DMC" McDaniels took to the stage for his powerful keynote address to talk about overcoming his own struggles with mental health and addiction.

From the first rap group to grace the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine, to the first to rap group appear on MTV, McDaniels helped changed music, culture, fashion, language and made American history. McDaniels is the co-author of the critically acclaimed book, his memoir "Ten Ways Not to Commit Suicide," about his past struggles with depression and helping those, especially men of color, remove the shame of asking for help.

DMC opened his keynote with a powerful message: "I'm not better than you, I'm not smarter than you, I'm not greater than you, and I am not more talented than you. I'm good at what I do, but I am an example of what happens when you take advantage of every opportunity to be the best person that you are."

He spoke about his childhood experiences before fame, sharing how he was bullied for his glasses and love of comic books and how, back then, he never spoke up due to the stigma surrounding mental health. "If we don't have conversations and if we don't talk about it, it will always be here because people feel guilt and shame that something is going on," he explained. He also shared two of his most meaningful rhymes: "If you remove the guilt and shame, you remove the pain of the situation you're going through. If you don't admit how you feel, whether good or bad, you never heal."

DMC went on to share his journey with depression and how, at the height of his fame, he struggled to make sense of it. "So, this is me, DMC, from the groundbreaking rap group Run DMC - and I'm waking up wanting to kill myself… but all my friends could tell me is about money and fortune and fame. None of that means anything if you aren't right." He described how destructive behaviors, like heavy drinking, were often celebrated in his community. "There's always that friend that could drink 20 shots…But what needs to happen is you need to stop him at number five and say, what is going on in your life to cause you to want to do that?"

As he wrestled with mental health challenges, DMC decided to tell his own story, wanting people to know him as "Daryl" rather than just "DMC." He recalled the moment he learned he was adopted - a revelation that shook him, along with the deaths of his DJ, Jam Master Jay and his father. Yet, he shared a powerful discovery, "Somebody told me about this thing called therapy." He spoke on how therapy and a stay at Sierra Tucson, a rehabilitation center in Arizona transformed his life. He urged students not to let stigma silence them, emphasizing the importance of being real with themselves and others. "You are the most important thing in the world. You make everything else important… If you're feeling pressured, if you're feeling overwhelmed… stop, take a breather and go talk to somebody."

Reflecting on his journey, he spoke of overcoming childhood bullying, feeling like an outsider and ultimately realizing his purpose: "What I stand here today is an example to all of you… all the Run-DMC stuff was the setup for what I was really put here to represent." With a powerful message, he shared, "I represent living, breathing proof that therapy works, and no matter what it is that you're going through, you could beat and defeat whatever it is that's going with you."

The event's impact on campus was profound. "This year's Mental Health Summit at Tiffin University, featuring Darryl 'DMC' McDaniels and four outstanding community mental health providers - Cecil Holston II, Joshua Bower, Dr. Meagan McBride and Jessica Richards - had a tremendous impact on our students and campus community," said Dakel Patterson, Dean of Student Development and Transformation at TU. "The 4.7 out of 5 rating from more than the 680 students that attended reflects how deeply they valued the support and sense of connection fostered by the event. With such positive feedback and the overwhelming interest from students, faculty, staff and community members, there is great momentum to make this potentially an annual event dedicated to mental health and well-being."

"With the rise of mental health concerns with students who have to juggle being focused on academics, athletics, extracurriculars and even the day-to-day life, this event serves as a reminder that there are resources out there for those that need it," continued Patterson. "There is a saying that "health is wealth". This is very true, but we can't forget about the mental aspect of that saying."