Carey hosts ‘Let’s Talk Mental Illness’

Hakeem Rahim, of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, provided H. Frank Carey High School freshmen with his “Let’s Talk Mental Illness” presentation when he visited their school on March 23.

Rahim was the first African American valedictorian at Uniondale High School. He then continued on to Harvard, where he studied psychology and was on the cheerleading team. During his time at Harvard, Rahim struggled with mental illness and ultimately had to leave school. He later returned and eventually graduated.

Rahim shared his journey with students, from being diagnosed with bipolar disorder to where he is now, in the hopes of breaking the stigma of mental illness. He also interacted with students and had them share words associated with mental illness as well as ways they could help any friends they have who might be struggling. At the end of his presentation, Rahim closed with a poem he had written.