TROY, Ala. (TROJANVISION) — Students majoring in social work and psychology got the opportunity to learn first-hand from a professional working in their future field.

Troy University’s Phi Alpha Honor Society hosted a Bachelor of Social Work semester talk with Troy alum Buffie Alloway. Alloway highlighted some of the challenges students may face when trying to promote equity in mental health services for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, also known as BIPOC communities.

“I feel like no matter if you are doing counseling, psychology anything like that you’re going to have to work with a diverse population, so knowing how to work with them and deal with the things that they go through.”

Each student learned ways to advocate for the increasing of basic resources within BIPOC Communities and how to promote understanding for those communities as well.

MORE NEWS FOR YOU: Students share mental health management tactics

“Mental health is important, no matter what population or culture your in. I hope that they got a better understanding of a cultural competent, and hope they’re more comfortable working with a diverse and equity populations once they get into they field.”

Phi Alpha Honor Society isn’t the only organization that promotes mental health-related discussions. Groups like the Black Student Union (BSU) and NAACP are also working to raise awareness about the topic.

Troy University’s School of Social Work & Human Services plans to continue its discussions in the spring. To keep up with the group’s upcoming events, follow them on Instagram at Troy-S-W-H-S.