Kelis Armstrong [Kangaroo], Howard Track & Field
NOVEMBER 8, 2024
This past summer, I had the incredible opportunity to study healthcare in different parts of the world. I traveled to London, Barcelona, and Florence. Through visits to mental health research centers, nutrition-focused educational tours, and innovative sexual health clinics, I learned about diverse approaches to the same topics we address with adolescents in the Grassroots Health program. I’m excited to share my experiences and how they relate to the lessons we student-athletes teach on mental, nutritional, and sexual health.
Mental Health: Research, Resilience, and Redefining Care
During my time at Sant Joan De Déu Mental Health Research Facilities in Spain, I saw firsthand how mental health professionals are dedicated to creating solutions that make healthcare more accessible. One project, “Hospital 2.0,” focused on designing hospitals that could respond rapidly to crises. The goal was to create adaptable, digitized facilities that could be built more efficiently and at a lower cost. This project inspired me to think about ways we could create mental health facilities in underserved areas with similar flexibility and affordability. It aligns with my passion for building quality healthcare facilities for marginalized communities and gives me ideas on strategies that could be implemented worldwide.
At a seminar with Donnie, a Scottish psychiatrist practicing in Spain, we discussed the layers of mental health—external, personal, and interpersonal. He broke down how factors like relationships, self-perception, and external stressors shape mental well-being. This conversation resonated with me deeply, as it reminded me of what we teach in Grassroots Health. By helping adolescents understand how external pressures and personal experiences impact their mental health, we empower them to build resilience and seek help when needed.
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Nutritional Health: Lifestyle Choices and Historical Shifts
In London, I joined a walking tour led by our guide, Charlie, who showed us how public health efforts and lifestyle changes can impact communities. From discussing the shift of Regent’s Park from a functional space to a place for exercise, to tracing the history of smoking awareness in the UK, I learned how crucial societal awareness and government action are in promoting health. Charlie explained how educational efforts like the 1962 report on smoking dangers transformed public attitudes toward health.
This experience reinforced the importance of educating young people about healthy choices. In Grassroots Health, we teach adolescents about the benefits of balanced nutrition and exercise, and how these small changes can lead to long-term health benefits. My time in London taught me how deeply rooted these changes can be when supported by history and culture—a valuable insight I’ll bring back to our program.
In Florence, I had the chance to explore the Mediterranean diet through a food tour, where I learned about the rich history and health benefits of Mediterranean cuisine while sampling traditional foods. The diet’s emphasis on fresh vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats like olive oil promotes heart health, longevity, and overall well-being. Understanding these benefits firsthand reinforced the importance of balanced nutrition in preventing chronic illnesses and supporting a healthy lifestyle.
This experience connects directly to our work with Grassroots Health, where we teach adolescents about nutrition and making informed food choices. By introducing them to healthier eating patterns—like those found in the Mediterranean diet—we can encourage habits that support both their immediate health and long-term well-being. The tour also gave me practical ideas on how to make nutrition lessons more engaging by connecting them to cultural practices, making the information more relatable and impactful.
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Sexual Health: Accessibility, Innovation, and Awareness
One of the highlights of my trip was visiting a sexual health clinic in Soho, London. I was struck by how the clinic created a welcoming and vibrant environment that encouraged people to seek help without the typical “hospital feel.” The clinic’s location in the heart of Soho makes it easily accessible to LGBTQ+ individuals, who statistically have a higher rate of HIV. I was impressed by the clinic’s ability to deliver same-day test results, made possible by advanced technology funded by a branch of the NHS.
This experience felt especially relevant to my work with Grassroots Health. At the clinic, I learned about PEP, an emergency HIV prevention method that can be taken within 72 hours of exposure—information that’s critical to share with the adolescents we teach. In DC, there is a 24-hour PEP hotline available that we educate youth about. Seeing the clinic’s approach to promoting testing through online platforms and at events like Pride showed me the power of accessibility and advocacy and I’m excited to continue to learn more about these types of efforts in DC. These strategies are invaluable for reaching young people and encouraging them to take charge of their sexual health.
A New Perspective on Health Education
My experiences abroad gave me a fresh perspective on the health topics we teach in Grassroots Health. Learning about different approaches to mental, nutritional, and sexual health around the world opened my eyes to the importance of accessible, culturally relevant healthcare. Whether it’s discussing mental health strategies, promoting exercise, or encouraging safe sexual practices, these experiences taught me that education and empathy are key to making healthcare relatable and impactful.
As I continue my studies and work with Grassroots Health, I’m motivated to bring these insights into my future career in healthcare administration. By building on what I’ve learned abroad, I hope to create healthcare solutions that empower marginalized communities and bridge the gaps in care for those who need it most.
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