Big 10 Collegiate Mental Health Center Conference

Swapna Hingwe, D.O., M.A.

Swapna Hingwe, D.O. has served as a psychiatrist on Michigan State University's campus since 2009. She is the Director of MSU Counseling and Psychiatric Services. Swapna earned her B.S. in Psychology and her M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Michigan State University. She then went on to medical school at MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her residency at the MSU Department of Psychiatry (the department is a shared department of the College of Human Medicine and the College of Osteopathic Medicine). Her work centers around mental health equity for historically marginalized student populations on campus, integrative and intersectional psychiatry and eating disorders. She specializes in working with students of color, international students and LGBTQIA+ students. Swapna is the author of a book chapter entitled: Mental Health Considerations for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color: Trends, Barriers, and Recommendations for Collegiate Mental Health. She recently served as a campus coach for the Equity in Mental Health on Campus initiative supported by the Steve Fund, a non-profit national organization committed to improving the mental health and wellbeing of students of color. Swapna also served as a co chair of MSU's JED campus initiative. She created and served as site director for MSU CAPS Collegiate Mental Health rotation for 2nd year psychiatry residents for 2 years. She is a member of the MSU Womxn of Color community and was recently awarded as an Innovative Leader by WOCC. She has served on the leadership advisory board for the Inclusive Campus Initiative for the last year and has been a member of ICI for 3 years. Swapna also serves on the leadership team for the Campus Student Success Group and advises the MSU chapter of South Asian mental health student group, We Are Saath.

Opening Keynote Details

Tuesday, March 4, 2025

9 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. (1 CEU)

Refocusing on Solidarity: How coming together can heal and sustain us

During uncertain times, grounding spaces of solidarity can promote healing, deepen our connections and help us build strong communities . In our commitment to promoting student mental health, it is just as important that we feel committed to caring for each other as colleagues, advocates, and training communities that are uplifted by hope and connection. We will explore how we can build support systems within our centers that empower us to act according to our values. This keynote will discuss important components of solidarity, help us reflect on the role of intersecting identities in building connection, identify barriers to practicing solidarity, and promote envisioning shared goals and common ground within our respective centers.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the key components of the practice of solidarity and how it applies to oneself and in relation to our work environments

• Identify barriers to solidarity within our centers

• Reflect on the role of intersecting identities in building solidarity

• Specify strategies for building solidarity practice amongst colleagues and within our systems

Silvana Espinoza Lau, LMFT

Silvana Espinoza Lau, LMFT, is a liberation and decolonization consultant, clinical supervisor, and psychotherapist in private practice based on unceded Kalapuya territory (Oregon). As a person with multiple marginalized identities, Silvana brings both lived experience and professional expertise to the forefront of her work.

She is the creator of the "Decolonize Your Practice" curriculum, which empowers mental health professionals to unlearn colonial therapy practices and adopt liberatory, anti-oppressive approaches. Silvana has delivered multiple trainings on decolonial therapy practices and facilitates monthly meetings for therapists committed to dismantling harmful models of care.

With over 10 years of experience, Silvana has provided decolonial therapy to marginalized individuals and guided mental health professionals in transforming their practices to better serve historically underserved and underrepresented communities. Her work is grounded in a deep commitment to liberation, decolonial practices, social justice, collective healing, and creating equitable systems of care.

Closing Keynote Details

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

9 a.m. - 11 a.m. (2 CEU)

Decolonize your practice: Decolonizing mental health to foster real inclusivity and healing

This session will center on fostering genuine inclusion within collegiate mental health care through decolonial approaches. Attendees will examine the role of identity and its intersections with systemic oppression, and explore practical tools to use to dismantle harmful power dynamics within their practices. Through self-reflection, accountability, and an emphasis on collective liberation, attendees will learn to foster healing spaces that honor the lived experiences of marginalized students and embrace truly inclusive care. By integrating actionable strategies and radical imagination, the presentation will empower clinicians to take meaningful steps toward decolonizing their practices and advancing equity within collegiate mental health systems.

Learning Objectives:

• Examine the role of identity in collegiate mental health care, advocating for practices that honor the complexity of students' livedexperiences.
• Equip mental health professionals with tools to identify and dismantle harmful power dynamics within collegiate care settings.
• Encourage clinicians to engage in self-reflection and accountability as part of their commitment to decolonial and liberatory mental health practices.
• Cultivate an understanding of collective liberation in collegiate mental health, encouraging clinicians to foster community-driven healing processes.