SCHOLARLY AND CREATIVE ENDEAVORS

Counseling and Special Education Department Bylaws (6/21/2018)

Initial reappointment will be based upon at least:

Three (3) scholarly activities in category 3 (which would demonstrate progress toward
Categories 1 and 2, which are required for tenure and promotion).

Mental illness is harshly stigmatized and enshrouded in mystery in sub-Saharan Africa.

Cultural and religious beliefs are likely to impede help-seeking efforts for psychological
problems. For instance, the African worldview of illness and misfortune tends to contradict
modern conceptualization of mental health research studies. In dealing with illness, Africans
believe that, (a) mental health problems are caused by supernatural powers (i.e., evil spirits of
departed ancestors), (b) those who develop mental health disorders do so to atone for sins
committed by the clan against the ancestors, and (c) those who develop mental health disorders
do so as a result of being bewitched (Kiima, Njenga, Okonji & Kigamwa, 2004). Contrary, the
euro-centric worldview interprets illness and treatment from evidence-based research findings.
It is from this broad context that I seek to conduct my research and address pertinent
mental health issues that impact mental health and well-being of sub-Saharan Africans and those
in the diaspora. I am interested in how African immigrants negotiate issues of acculturation,
assimilation, integration, and separation within the context of mental health. I recognize that
African immigrants mistrust treatment modalities that appear foreign and unrelated to their
conceptualization of mental health. Consequently, my research examines how they build coping
mechanisms and resilience while living transnationally.
Since my initial appointment at Central Michigan University, my creative and scholarly
agenda includes submission of manuscripts for consideration of publication in a peer-reviewed
journal and presentations at international conference and national conferences. My current
research is summarized below:

Criterion Required Achieved

B. Initial Category 1 = 0 Category 1 = 4
Reappointment Category 2 = 0 Category 2 = 0
Category 3 = 3 Category 3 = 6

Category 1

1. Mwangi, R. M. (September, 2020). Demystifying and help-seeking for mental disorders

in Africa. 5th AUA Research Conference, (2020 Conference), Nairobi, Kenya.
Proposal Accepted. Conference Scheduled September 25, 2020

I submitted a manuscript entitled, “Demystifying and help-seeking for mental disorders in

Africa” for publication consideration in the Journal of Applied Social Science, Human
Development and Technology (JASST). This manuscript, currently under review, was also
submitted as a conference proposal and was accepted. JASST is a flagship peer-reviewed journal
of the School of Postgraduate Studies, Adventist University of Africa. This manuscript seeks to
bring awareness to the mental health concerns that may potentially impact workers and therefore
affect work efficiency and overall productivity. Furthermore, optimal performance in the
workplace is intricately linked to the mental health and overall wellbeing of workers. Stigma is
identified as one of the major obstacles that limits help-seeking practices. For this reason, various
explanatory models of mental illnesses are discussed in order to clarify and demystify help-
seeking process for mental health concerns. Also, burnout problem is highlighted that is likely to
impact efficiency and productivity. Therefore, it is imperative for organizational workers in
various disciplines to familiarize themselves with the process of identifying and seeking positive
intervention methods. I was responsible for conceptualizing this project and developing this
presentation.

AUA.Demystifying.pdf
2. Mwangi, R. M. (September, 2020). Addiction: The scourge of use of mood-altering
substances. 5th AUA Research Conference, (2020 Conference), Nairobi, Kenya.
Proposal Accepted. Conference Scheduled September 25, 2020

I have submitted manuscript entitled, “Addiction: The scourge of use of mood-altering

substances” for possible publication opportunity in the Journal of Applied Social Science,
Human Development and Technology (JASST). This manuscript, currently under review, was
also submitted as a conference proposal and was accepted. JASST is a flagship peer-reviewed
journal of the School of Postgraduate Studies, Adventist University of Africa.

This manuscript highlights the physical harmful effects of substance use. Since the clergy are
assumed to be first responders in mental health and substance use concerns within their
communities, it is imperative for them to learn how alcohol and psychoactive drug use impact
society regardless of their religious affiliation. Alcohol and drug use proliferation has far-
reaching public and mental health implications and could profoundly impact daily functioning
and workplace productivity.
Specifically, this paper identifies alcohol as one of the most widely used substance and
discusses its potential health and social effects. Additionally, the study calls for organizational
workers to provide workers with the education regarding healthy coping skills and treatment
opportunities that are likely to subsequently enhance work productivity. Overall, the possible
benefit of this study is to raise awareness of the scope and magnitude of the existing pervasive
global and community substance abuse concerns. I was responsible for conceptualizing this
project and developing this presentation.

AUA.Addiction.pdf
3. Lopes, J. E., & Mwangi, R. M. (September, 2020). Development of a master treatment
plan between counselor and patient (15 - 20 minutes recording in collaboration
with the Physician Assistant Program).
 New Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) patient presentation, history, Pulmonary
Embolism (PE), testing, treatment contract discussion, and buprenorphine
induction. (30-40 minutes)
 Follow up visit with an assessment of effectiveness and dosage adjustment
(10-15 minutes)
  Follow up visit with an unexpected urine toxicology result (10-15
minutes). Presented on September 9, 2020.

This is an interdisciplinary project supervised by the Health Professions Department in

collaboration with the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) and in conjunction
with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). I will act as
the “counselor” collaborating to discuss treatment planning for a recovering “client” struggling
with Opioid Use Disorder. The video presentation will be used for instruction in all Physician
Assistant Health Profession programs in the nation.

Pickover, S., Armbruster, E., & Mwangi, R. M. (July 2020). Clinical supervision and telemental
health counseling: Challenges and Opportunities. Fourteenth International
Interdisciplinary Conference on Clinical Supervision (IICCS). Erikson Institute in
Chicago, Illinois. Presented on July 29-30, 2020.

I presented at a virtual conference that highlighted the common factors between Telemental
health supervision and typical supervision. Participants learned about supervision issues specific
to Telemental health counseling, and proposed recommendations for required certification
specific to Telemental health supervision. Virtual presentation is accessed below:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/16IFiOUQuTGuVIB69dQExIsLBP6UYpgVF/view

Category 3

1. Mwangi, R. M. (October, 2020). Attitudes toward professional psychological help

among Kenyan immigrants living in the United States. Submitted Proposal: North
Central Association of Counseling Education and Supervision (NCACES).
2020 Conference in Omaha, Nebraska. Proposal Accepted.

Objectives:
 Create awareness of the critical mental health concerns of African immigrant
minorities living in the United States
 Discuss cultural differences between African and western approaches of mental
health conceptualization
 Highlight implications for professional counselors and in the instruction of
supervision in counselor education.
 Letter

2. Mwangi, R. M. (August, 2020). Counselor-Clergy collaboration in addressing African

immigrants’ traumatic experiences. Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and
Religious Values (ASERVIC) 2020 Conference in Columbus, Ohio. Proposal
Submitted. Conference was cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns.

Objectives:
  Raise awareness of the existing mental health concerns of the invisible African
immigrants in US
 Discuss cultural and structural barriers of accessing mental health services
 Explore collaboration effort of counselors working with ministerial clergy to
provide training and relevant psychoeducation

3. Mwangi, R. M. (August 2020). Potential benefits of using highly valued proverbs in

counseling. Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values (ASERVIC).
2020 Conference in Columbus, Ohio. Proposal Submitted. Conference was
cancelled due to COVID-19 Concerns.

Objectives:
 Create awareness of the existing African immigrants’ overwhelming challenges
 Discuss approaches of incorporating valuable African proverbs in counseling
 Learn effective processes of engaging people of African descent in counseling.

Research in Progress

4. Mwangi, R. M. (2020). Functional impairment: extreme self-care practices among

helpers. Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values (ASERVIC).
Research in Progress

Objectives:
 Address self-awareness in the enhancement of self-care and healthy lifestyle
 Identify potential harmful behaviors that could lead to further impairment
 Discuss healthy coping styles for counselors and counselor educators.
 Planning to submit an IRB research proposal.

5. Mwangi, R. M. (2020). Attitudes Toward Professional Psychological Help Among

Kenyan Immigrants Living in the United States. Dissertation journal publication,
Research in Progress

Innovation Award

6. Pickover, S., Arnekrans, A., Armbruster, E., & Mwangi, R. (2020). TeleMental health
counseling services in Michigan: Enhancing training and critical needs in the
northern Lower Peninsula. CMU Innovation Award. Project Start Date: April
2020. Budget: $80,264. Funded.

I contributed by preparing a Telemental Health Training Curriculum module for counselors-in-

training to learn how to handle Emergency Situation with a client in a Telemental Health
counseling situation – when a client is not in the same location with a counselor. I summarized a
preparation procedure when establishing a working relationship with clients. For instance, the
counselor is required, among other things, (a) know client identity, (b) get picture ID, (c)
determine their location, (d) know how to respond in the event client calls emergency, and (e)
gather non-emergency numbers of police department of various locations to share and counselor
to call.

Innovation slides

Summary: I have met and exceeded the requirements for initial reappointment in the area of
Scholarly and Creative Activity as outlined in the Department of Counseling and Special
Education bylaws. Overall, I have endeavored to pursue my scholarly and creative activity by
developing a passion and interest to research the field of mental health after comparing and
contrasting how modern science and health care practices had dominated and surpassed pre-
colonial African traditional healing practices. There are potential areas of inquiry that require
further investigation and thorough data collection that will inform thought leaders, policy
makers, counselor educators, and mental health practitioners. I continue to anticipate
opportunities for research that will contribute to the body of knowledge and disseminate the
same to the field of counseling and special education. I plan to develop a sustainable research
agenda into a broader conversation that will raise issues related to clinical mental health and
substance abuse that have not been fully investigated. I believe these issues hold much promise
to and will benefit our students at Central Michigan University. In addition, my research agenda
has potential to attract external grant funding.