Illuminations

Mental Health Resilience In Black and Brown Families

Fri, 13 May 2022 02:52:39 GMT

Learn about factors that disproportionately affect families of color when it comes to mental health, and coping strategies enabling families to thrive.

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Research has shown that black people are over 20% more likely to experience serious mental health problems. Although lower than the percentage of white counterparts, these occurrences tend to last longer and are more likely to result in disability . The stigma of mental healthcare in black and brown communities has always been an issue when identifying the need to seek professional help from a licensed therapist . There has been progress over the last several years. Still, the Black community, especially Black males, is more likely to seek other ways of dealing with psychological issues, such as religious coping and prayer and leaning on family and friends for support.

Still, black people continue to struggle with psychological issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and post-traumatic stress disorder at increased rates. This is not surprising, given the unique challenges we face. To understand the disparities in identifying and treating mental illnesses in our community, we must first accept that many barriers exist and solve them.

Racism

Discrimination and racism are a part of everyday life for African Americans. Whether it be disparate treatment in the workplace, disregard when dealing with health issues, or injustice when dealing with law enforcement and the legal system, the trauma associated with being marginalized can profoundly impact mental health. Racism is widespread and comes in many forms. Let us dive into a few of them:

Healthcare

Black people have a long history of mistreatment within the field of medicine. The most prominent example is the Tuskegee Experiment , in which 399 black males believed they were being treated for Syphilis but never received it. The lack of medical intervention led to other health issues and impacted families for generations. Black women also have a reason for concern; we are two to three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. Over a decade ago, the Institute of Medicine published the Unequal Treatment Report . The data showed that minorities were more likely to receive low-quality care and preventive medicine even after factoring in income, place of residence, comorbidities, and healthcare coverage.

Being denied essential help when needed or disregarded even though a known condition is present will continue to be a source of distrust between the Black community and medical service providers. The ability to find a black mental health therapist can go a long way in building rapport between patients and providers. According to the American Psychiatric Association , only two percent of psychologists in the US identify as Black. In 2021, the APA issued a public apology for historical racism in psychiatry. That year, their annual conference was dedicated to equity, and they increased efforts to recruit practitioners from underrepresented communities.

Justice and Policing

A longstanding stereotype based on racist ideology is that Black people commit more crimes than other demographics. This misperception is perpetuated in the daily media. Black men make up 13% of the male population but 35% of the prison population. This statistic is extensively used to criminalize African American men, leading to an increased likelihood of being killed by police during routine traffic stops, given higher sentences for non-violent crimes, and separated from their families and households at an alarming rate. The fallout is compounded when children are left without the presence of their fathers, and mothers are left to carry the full responsibility of raising kids and providing financial support alone.

The burden and trauma that go together with the ongoing need to be aware of the dangers of the people and systems to protect us are profound and underlying in every life experience, good and bad. This systemic racism is just another element to deal with, along with the same pressures that everyone experiences. Identifying this problem and fixing the disparities in the legal system can help with leveling the playing field. It will not happen overnight, but proactively using available mental health services to address these issues can be beneficial. Black couples separated by incarceration should seek marriage counseling to help deal with the emotional toll. Those with children need to ensure they find a family therapist they can trust to address the mental health needs of everyone.

Culture

The Black community’s culture has long been wrapped in the sense of overcoming, strength, and resilience. This is rooted in the road we traveled to overcome things like slavery, segregation, and oppression. In my lifetime, I have worn my ability to endure like a badge of honor, as has everyone around me in my lifetime. This has created a stigma attached to the belief that having conditions such as depression, anxiety, traumatic stress, or suicidal thoughts is a sign of weakness.

There is good news, though. There has been a shift in perception in recent times, with more focus on getting the help needed to live a healthy and functional life. With more people of color joining the psychiatry field and providing potential patients the opportunity to connect with a professional they can identify with, those seeking help when they need it are sure to increase.

Social media is helping to dispel negative stereotypes about self-care as well. Influencers speak out about their mental health challenges and detail how they focus on their mental health to inspire others to do the same. In addition, many organizations, such as Deconstructing Stigma , are working to build awareness and change attitudes about mental health treatments.

Coping Strategies

You can take steps to address stress, anxiety, or the onset of depression. Trying some of them at the onset of symptoms may help prevent your feelings from worsening.

Insomnia, changes in appetite, and physical reactions like headaches and upset stomachs can show that stress, anxiety, or depression are setting in. Some ways to deal with it are:

Self-care – Make sure you get enough sleep, eat healthily, and exercise. These are physiological needs that your body requires for balance and good health.
Meditation – Practicing meditation methods can calm your racing thoughts and create a relaxation response in your body.
Just say no – More often than not, stress is created by outside circumstances. Feelings of being overwhelmed can raise anxiety levels. Give yourself grace. Avoid overcommitting and make sure you have downtime to relax and recuperate.
Do what you love – Doing things that you enjoy has been shown to reduce stress in studies. Engaging in activities you love can lift your mood and chase away depression.
Lean on your circle – Having a community of supportive friends and family to talk to can make all the difference when dealing with these issues. Reach out and stay connected.
Seek help when needed – Know your limits. When your coping methods are not working, reach out for help.

It Is Okay Not to Be Okay.

Whether you seek therapy or counseling for yourself, your partner, or your entire family, we can help. Learn more about counseling and therapy services for more resilient mental health.

Learn more about counseling and therapy services for more resilient mental health.

Christian & Faith-Based Counseling Services • Bright Moments Therapy

Tue, 08 Mar 2022 12:06:07 GMT

We're not here to judge your beliefs, but you may have some questions about what religion can mean for the type of therapist to choose. Read on to learn about finding the perfect therapist for you.

Spirituality plays a vital role in mental health, wellness, and recovery. Studies show that someone’s spirituality can positively affect their mental health. Religion and spirituality can help a patient by providing positive coping skills, positive thinking and beliefs, and community support.

These studies show that taking someone’s beliefs and values, including spirituality, into account is an integral part of mental health treatment outcomes. One of the best ways to incorporate spirituality into healing is through the help of a faith-based therapist .

Help Through Christian Based Counseling

Over 70% of the American population consider themselves Christian . With such a huge chunk of the population holding Christian beliefs, there’s no denying that therapists must be trained in understanding Christian values. This can help better equip them to understand the complex thoughts of their clients while assisting clients in feeling comfortable in a therapeutic setting. Some of the benefits of having a therapist that is well-versed in spirituality include the following:

Reduction in Depressive Symptoms

It isn’t just Christianity that therapists must be trained in. A study from researchers at Duke University showed that therapists who conducted religious-based cognitive-behavioral therapy on people of the Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist and Hindu faiths had better outcomes when it came to treating depression. Depression is a serious condition that affects almost 5% of the population in the United States and can lead to suicide . Treatment intertwined with spirituality and open to discussing religious beliefs during psychotherapy showed a reduction in physiological depressive symptoms. This includes symptoms such as fatigue, muscle pain, and body aches.

Navigating Complex Feelings

For people with deep-rooted values in faith, coming face to face with a crisis can heighten negative emotions. A study conducted at the University of Memphis showed that people experiencing grief, strong faith and belief systems were predictive of more significant overall distress.

Another complex situation that can be impacted by religiosity is identity conflict in members of the LGBTQ community. Recent studies showed that people who have identity conflicts concerning their LGBTQ identity and beliefs are at greater risk of suicide. Unfortunately, “escaping” or leaving their beliefs behind can increase the risk of suicide even more, according to this same study. Therefore, people need help to navigate these complex emotions to minimize the risk of suicide and come to a deeper level of self-acceptance.

Spirituality and Substance Abuse

Amazingly, studies have shown that people with increased spirituality also have a decreased overall risk of developing substance abuse . One of the pillars of substance abuse treatment is, in fact, believing in a higher power and relinquishing control of one’s addiction. With the help of a therapist trained in faith-based services, addiction treatment, and co-occurring disorders treatment, people can get the support they need to improve their overall health and reduce the risk of substance abuse.

Overall Health

Spirituality also plays a role in someone’s longevity, ability to develop healthy coping skills and lowers the risk of anxiety, depression, and suicide. Men of the Muslim faith who engaged in religious-based therapy could recover faster from their anxiety disorder than those without. This shows the true power behind engaging in faith-based treatment such as Christian counseling services.

Breaking Through Barriers

If you’re someone that struggles with reaching out for help and someone who also has a strong religious faith, you might feel as if you have nowhere to turn to for advice and no one to offer a helping hand. This might lead you to feel frustrated and angry with life, leading to other struggles such as depression, anxiety, and chronic stress. You would love an outlet and someone to talk to, but where can you go without judgement?

Many people might feel hesitant to reach out for help in fear that it is a sign of weakness. Almost half of Americans have this toxic stigma ingrained in them . However, seeking help from a trained therapist is not a sign of weakness. Therapy that is intertwined with spiritual beliefs can be beneficial in helping you navigate through complex emotions, help you reduce the risk of suicide and mental illness, and improve your physical and psychological well-being.

A Guide Who Understands

Whether you're going through depression, need spirituality-based grief counseling, or are seeking help to restore your faith and mood, faith-based services can be the correct answer. Sadly, only 36% of therapists admitted they talked with their clients about religion and faith . How can that be when religion, faith, and values make up a huge part of who you are?

It might be because some therapists don’t want to bring up spiritual topics in fear this might hurt the relationship between themselves and a client. On the contrary, discussing your values and beliefs in a private and therapeutic setting can be a cathartic experience. However, you must find a therapist who is open to discussing these ideas and is well-versed in understanding various belief systems. It is the job of a therapist to provide a safe space free of judgement and with universal positive regard.

Heal Your Soul Inside

With so many benefits of religious and spiritual-based therapy, there’s a good chance this type of therapy will help improve your overall health and well-being. However, a trained therapist must provide competent, evidence-based treatment that coincides with your values and beliefs. We invite you to learn more about our approach to integrating spirituality and faith into psychotherapy practice . Whether you want help to overcome grief, loss, depression, anxiety, or other mental health challenges, the right mental health professional educated and experienced in spirituality can help.