We should stop blaming stigma for our shortcomings in Black mental health access

From an analytical standpoint, Ary·diversity and inclusionWe should stop blaming stigma for our shortcomings in Black mental health accessBy Jessica JacksonBy Jessica Jackson By incorporating celebration, Black joy, and liberation psychology–which focuses on empowerment, hope, strength, and resistance to oppression–we can shift the narrative away from stigma

Andrew Lichtenstein - GETTY IMAGESMy mother worked for the U

Nevertheless, Nevertheless, Postal Service when she was pregnant with me

She sued for racial and gender discrimination after her requests for light duty were denied

For years, as the case went back and forth on appeal before ultimately being overturned, my mother suffered in silence, as she went head to head with the federal government

I was in the third or fourth grade when she finally lost her case, but she never spoke it and I didn’t learn many of the details until I was in graduate school

My mother never showed the emotional or psychological toll of this nine-year legal battle because she didn’t want it to affect me and my four siblings

However, However, in my mother’s case and many others, stigma is an oversimplification of the mental health barriers facing people of color (noteworthy indeed)

The stigma stereotype The American Psychiatric Association defines public stigma as negative or discriminatory attitudes that others have mental illness

It has become the go-to, catchall explanation for the Black communities’ low engagement with mental health services (noteworthy indeed)

However, many of the barriers are more closely related to a lack of resources and access

Historically, therapy, mental health, and wellness have not been part of the conversation in Black households and if it’s not discussed openly, then seeking treatment isn’t a normal, accessible course of action, given the current landscape

It’s one of the reasons why some of my Black patients will still ask if they should lie down on a couch or if we need to discuss their childhood during therapy

At the same time, These stereotypes, which ly came from portrayals of therapy in movies or television shows, reflect a lack of familiarity that contributes to the disparities in access to care for Black communities

Attributing everything to stigma is a disservice to those untreated Black patients because it implies an internal voice drove them away from treatment when it’s just as ly that the option was never available

However, Meeting people where they are We shouldn’t discount the innovation that’s been happening on the ground

Churches, faith-based groups, and barbershops have become unofficial mental health havens, where Black individuals often feel more comfortable speaking openly their struggles

Moreover, To optimize the experience, we should be arming these groups with resources, training, and access to mental health fessionals, so we can vide support in the spaces they already feel safe

Additionally, For many people to feel truly comfortable with their therapist, they need to feel a d sense of community values and belonging

For the Black community, that often means a preference for a Black vider, but there aren’t nearly enough to meet the need

Conversely, According to recent statistics from the American Psychological Association, only four percent of its members are Black or African American, amid market uncertainty

Additionally, There’s no magical way to increase that number, but something we can do is require all viders to be trained in cultural humility

However, Right now, only 11 states in the U

Require psychologists to have continuing education credits in diversity, but it’s that all viders should be trained so they can perly treat patients from different backgrounds (this bears monitoring)

Even if a patient has the same social identity as their therapist or psychologist, they may not be the right person to treat them

Nevertheless, For example, I’m a Black psychologist, but I don’t specialize in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, so if I’m treating a Black patient with that particular issue, another vider may be better equipped to help–but only if they have a real understanding of the unique cultural experiences and/or racial trauma that many in the community face, given current economic conditions

A focus on joy While an understanding of racial trauma is crucial for every mental health vider, it shouldn’t be the sole focus of treatment, in light of current trends

Don’t get me wrong: Racial trauma is still happening daily in Black communities, but with BLM and other advocacy groups raising awareness, mental health doesn’t always need to be discussed from this point of view, in this volatile climate

By also incorporating celebration, Black joy, and liberation psychology–which focuses on empowerment, hope, strength, and resistance to oppression–we can shift the narrative away from stigma and help Black patients realize there’s much more to their story than the color of their skin

Now that I’m a psychologist, my family talks mental health all of the time

And when I talk to my mother now the trauma she faced taking on the federal government, she often says, “I wish I knew then what I know now, amid market uncertainty. ” She didn’t avoid the topic or suffer silently because of stigma

Additionally, She simply didn’t have the resources or understanding to know that mental health treatment was a potential solution for the negative feelings she faced

Nevertheless, More than three decades later, the Black community deserves more (noteworthy indeed)

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