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Juneteenth is short for “June Nineteenth” and marks a very important day in American history. This is the day federal troops entered Galveston, Texas in 1865 and took control to ensure all slaves were freed. Juneteenth is thought to be the longest-running African American holiday. It became an official federal holiday on June 17, 2021. […]
Juneteenth is short for “June Nineteenth” and marks a very important day in American history. This is the day federal troops entered Galveston, Texas in 1865 and took control to ensure all slaves were freed. Juneteenth is thought to be the longest-running African American holiday. It became an official federal holiday on June 17, 2021.
While slavery was abolished over 250 years ago, there is lingering trauma that has been passed down through the generations in the black community. As we celebrate Juneteenth this year, it’s important to focus on the overall mental health and well-being of the community.
Historically, the African American community has been faced with certain barriers that have made seeking mental health services challenging.
Socioeconomic Disparities
It is common for members of the black community to experience socioeconomic disparities that make it hard to finance mental health treatment. Recent data suggest that 11% of black adults in this country have no form health insurance.
Stigma
It is common for people in the black community to have negative attitudes and beliefs about mental health issues and treatment for those issues. In fact, one study found that 63% of black people still believe that admitting to struggling with a mental health condition is a sign of personal weakness.
As a result of this lingering stigma, people often feel shame for having a mental health condition and choose to not seek help for fear of being bullied or scorned.
Trust
People of color often prefer to speak with therapists within their own community. Speaking with another person of color, who understands the microaggressions and burdens you face on a daily basis, can be tremendously helpful for healing.
Currently, the psychology workforce is predominantly white, which often makes it difficult for BIPOC people to find a therapist they feel comfortable with. It is hoped that in the coming years, more young people of color will take an interest and the initiative to become a trained and licensed therapist.
This Juneteenth, it is important that people in the African American community make a commitment to their mental health. It may be helpful for you to get on the phone with a few potential providers and ask some questions to get a sense of their level of cultural awareness. What is their history of treating people of color? How sensitive are they to the plights black people face today?
When you find a provider that can meet your needs, you can begin the journey of healing.
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When we speak about human behavior or ways of being in the world, we have traditionally described someone as having normal behavior or abnormal behavior. Recently, mental health experts have begun to look at things in a broader, more inclusive scope. What Does Neurodivergent Mean? Neurodivergent is a term used to describe someone who either […]
When we speak about human behavior or ways of being in the world, we have traditionally described someone as having normal behavior or abnormal behavior. Recently, mental health experts have begun to look at things in a broader, more inclusive scope.
What Does Neurodivergent Mean?
Neurodivergent is a term used to describe someone who either behaves in a specific way or processes information in a specific way that differs from cultural norms. It is an important shift in the mental health community because it allows clinicians to discuss diagnoses, such as autism, in a way that doesn’t portray the diagnoses as an illness or problem to be dealt with. In addition to autism, there are other diagnoses that may be considered a form of neurodivergence such as ADHD, any learning disability, dyslexia, and Tourette’s syndrome.
Benefits of Neurodiversity
Much of the world has embraced cultural diversity. We have been taught that diversity is our greatest strength. Well, people are finally starting to realize that this concept goes beyond just cultural diversity and should extend to the diversity of thought and being as well. Neurodiversity can actually be beneficial to society because different ways of thinking and looking at the world bring different perspectives and insights to the table.
Temple Grandin is a perfect example. Temple is autistic and it is her very unique perspective and way of thinking that allowed her to revolutionize the practices for the humane handling of livestock.
Instead of stigmatizing children who have been diagnosed with a “mental handicap,” we must encourage them to embrace their differences and share their unique insights and perspectives with the world.
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Living with a disability brings with its daily challenges. Sometimes those challenges can feel overwhelming and even demoralizing. Because of this, it is common for people with disabilities to suffer from mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. This is particularly true for children and teenagers who, according to researchers from the University of […]
Living with a disability brings with its daily challenges. Sometimes those challenges can feel overwhelming and even demoralizing.
Because of this, it is common for people with disabilities to suffer from mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. This is particularly true for children and teenagers who, according to researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago, are five times more likely to suffer from mental health issues than young people without a disability.
The symptoms of depression and anxiety in children and teens with a disability or chronic health condition will look very similar to symptoms in other young people. The difficulty lies in spotting some of these signs because they may overlap with the physical symptoms of their condition.
Still, it is important to keep a close eye on your child or teen to see if they are showing any of the following signs:
Here are some ways you can help your child who is dealing with a disability and may also be dealing with a mental health issue:
Help Them Reframe
Help your child see themselves beyond their health. Help them begin to focus on the things they are good at and the areas of life they can succeed. Help them discover new talents, passions, and interests.
Help Them Form a Network
Your child will have an easier time with their mental health when they have access to those like themselves. Find peer network groups for kids and teens with disabilities or chronic conditions. These may be online groups or in-person groups in your local community.
Seek Professional Help
All kids and teens could use someone to talk to, other than their parents. This is equally true for teens and kids with disabilities. Look for a therapist that has experience helping young people suffering from depression as a result of a disability or chronic condition.
If travel poses an issue, you can also look for a therapist who offers online sessions.
If you would like to explore treatment options for your child or teen, please get in touch with me. I offer telehealth sessions so if need be, your child can get help right in the comfort of their own bedroom!
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