Facing Race: A National Conference in St. Louis, MO — November 20-22, 2024

Shonettia Monique

Shonettia Monique engages the body, mind, and spirit to discuss issues of identity, oppression, and healing. Born and raised in Chicago, she has extensive experience working with youth and women of color on issues of healing justice and wellness. She has worked as a consultant to social service agencies, community groups, institutions, and universities for more than 12 years. Shonettia is a licensed Massage Therapist and received her MA in Health Arts & Sciences from Goddard College where she explored themes of ritual, magic and black women’s healing. Shonettia currently resides in Philadelphia but constantly dreams of the ocean.


Presentations from Facing Race 2018

Decolonizing Mental Health

If we knew each others’ stories would we call it mental illness? People of color, especially women and queer and trans people of color, face disproportionate struggles with mental health. When we look for help, we often feel isolated and the few resources available aren’t made for us. We know that systemic abuse and cycles of trauma are often the cause of mental health crisis, so what do we do when the mental health system itself reproduces these same compounding systems of oppression? How can we develop liberatory mental health approaches that serve our communities? How can we shift toward collective solutions for mental and emotional distress? Join The Icarus Project for a workshop on unpacking the oppression of the mental health system, and how we can create alternatives that work for our people. In this workshop we will (1) Break down how oppression impacts mental health on a collective and intergenerational level (2) Examine how the mental health system reinforces this oppression and (3) Offer alternative narratives and tools that shift us toward a collective, liberatory approach to mental and emotional health that works for communities of color.

This workshop will be facilitated by The Icarus Project, a support network and education project by and for people who experience the world in ways that are often diagnosed as mental illness. We advance social justice by fostering mutual aid practices that reconnect healing and collective liberation. We transform ourselves through transforming the world around us.

Speakers: Shonettia Monique, Agustina Vidal