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Therapy and mental health have long been taboo in communities of color. A systemic lack of access to resources and information has created an immense stigma. However, the consequences of maintaining a “hush-hush” approach to mental health can be devastating, as it supports patterns of dismissing mental health concerns and even ostracizes those who struggle with mental health issues.

Common themes about therapy heard in communities of color are, “a therapist won’t understand what I’m going through,” “I can’t trust a stranger with my personal business,” or “I can handle things myself.” These fears may come from real experiences with discrimination and culturally insensitive helping professionals, who have further contributed to cycles of mistrust and misinformation. Hesitance to be vulnerable with strangers has historical backing. Many Black people have shunned public and even private forms of vulnerability to keep from being seen as weak. The pressure to be seen as strong originated as a means of survival. However, this mindset can be a barrier to getting much needed help, perpetuating cycles of dismissing, judging, and often alienating people struggling with mental health issues.

With social media making it increasingly easier to share experiences and resources regarding mental health struggles, we are experiencing a significant cultural shift toward healing. People from many generations, especially millennials and gen Z, are taking positive steps toward destigmatizing mental health. There are calls to recognize generational trauma and break generational curses so that future generations do not need to suffer in silence as many before us have.

So what does therapy look like? At its core, therapy requires acknowledging a problem or an issue, a desire for change, and reflection. Therapy is a conversation with someone trained to listen empathically, help you understand your own experience, and provide a place for you to find peace and healing. In therapy, you can confront problematic behaviors, challenge your beliefs and schools of thought, take action steps toward change, and learn to accept what cannot change. Therapy can be a safe place to process generational trauma and explore your identity as a person of color.

Read more at Life-Insight.com.

A study was done by Central State University, Ohio University, the Mental Health and Addiction Advocacy Coalition and the Multi-Ethnic Advocates for Cultural Competency. Within the study, it’s noted that “barriers to care are negatively impacted by provider bias, racism, and stigma, which lead to poorer quality of care and worse behavioral health outcomes.”

This can at times discourage people from getting the care they need.

Tracy Maxwell-Heard, the executive director of the Multi-Ethnic Advocates for Cultural Competence, indicated that the findings are not surprising.

“What we found out are those stigmas, those biases, are just as present in the behavioral health community as in any other sector,” she said. “And our endeavor is to try to quantify that so that we can create some balance and some access, increased access for those from those BIPOC communities…Black Indigenous People of Color who are struggling to find service deliverers who look like them, speak their language, understand their cultural norms and can give them the same equitable service as the rest of the Ohioans.”

When looking at those who are incarcerated, the numbers for mental health treatment differ drastically between Black and white Americans, with white Americans receiving more care. When asked about the difficulties Black people face getting treatment, Heard said that when incarcerated “It just exacerbates your ability to reach whatever services you’re in need of.”

As the rest of the findings are released throughout the year, Heard and other researchers are looking to bring together a behavioral health workforce task force, along with state agencies, the governor’s administration and legislators to address the issues at hand.

This is in hopes of not just getting buy-in, but to get assistance in helping to “Level the playing field, create more equity and expand cultural awareness, and competence within our behavioral health workforce,” said Heard.

Read more at SpectrumNews.com.

Mental Health is slowly losing its stigma, but there is still a lot of work to be done — especially when it deals with our children.

Circles of Care is a program that supports children with severe emotional disturbances and their families, and the program’s main focus is in our tribal communities. The program — which is part of the Department of Health — sets up a community-based care model that makes sure kids make their voices heard, and get the individualized treatment they need to lead better lives.

The program focuses specifically on American Indian and Alaskan Native communities without competition from states, counties, or cities. From Standing Rock to the Turtle Mountains, it’s something that many families in need can use as a resource.

“First and foremost, we’ll always, always be in the community, gaining their trust,” explained Mental Health and Domestic Violence Advocate, Desireé Coyote. “The purpose of our program is, we are here to gain the trust of our community, and for us, that means confidentiality.”

Mental health is not just black and white in North Dakota’s tribal communities, and the program also looks at historical trauma and issues currently impacting our tribal lands. Many of the treatments Circles of Care recommend can be done within the family, and right at home.

Read more at KXNet.com.

Since 1976, people nationwide have celebrated the achievements of African Americans during Black History Month. It’s a time for people to actively recognize the accomplishments and cultural significance of people of color. Their work has impacted every corner of American society, including the field of psychology and mental health.

Historically, talking about mental health challenges and getting help has been stigmatized in the Black community. Medicine and psychology have been historically dominated by White men, which is why it’s so important to talk about the Black individuals who broke into the field and made a substantial impact.

More and more people of color are beginning to open up about their mental health challenges, but there is still work to be done.
“In 2023 we’re more aware than ever about mental health and how it impacts our communities. The more people we have — in our very own communities — contributing to the mental health space the better we will be able to treat individuals and furthermore promote integrated care — whole person care — mind, body, spirit,” says Larry Ford, DBH, LBHP, BC, Founder at Hands to Guide You.

Sharing these stories will hopefully help write Black people into the psychology narrative and empower more people to seek treatment.

Read more at VeryWellMind.com.

In order to highlight pockets of excellence across the country, the NNED selects a partner organization to highlight once a month. Luminosity Behavioral Health Services has been selected as the Partner of the Month for July in celebration of National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month.

Luminosity Behavioral Health Services, Inc. offers outpatient mental health and addiction services for anyone struggling to cope with life’s challenges.

Some of the programs and services that are currently offered:

• Outpatient Counseling
• Child Behavioral Health Initiative
• Psychiatric Services
• Medication Assisted Treatment

Learn more about Luminosity Behavioral Health Services and its mission to provide culturally based high-quality community-based mental health and addiction services, to meet the unique needs of adults, adolescents, children, and families.

View a list of previous NNED Partners of the Month.

While autism affects millions of U.S. children and adults, it is commonly misunderstood, which can negatively impact autistic people’s well-being and deprive them of life’s richness. By learning more about autism and listening to the unique insights of those experiencing it, we can all support autistic people in living their fullest lives.

Autism is a pervasive developmental disability that affects communication, movement, and sensory processing. Autistic experiences vary widely, but among the more common are masking (i.e., hiding one’s more obvious autistic traits in ways that can be unconscious or reactive) and sensory overwhelm. These experiences can lead to meltdowns (i.e., periods of emotional dysregulation) and burnout (i.e., states of incapacitation and exhaustion), during which the person needs extra support.

Research suggests masking and unmet need for support may be linked to increased suicide risk among autistic people. However, it’s crucial to note that meltdowns and burnout are not necessarily signs of a suicidal crisis. This highlights the critical importance of listening to and understanding the individual’s experience, and providing tailored accommodation and inclusion—rather than repression—of autistic behaviors, whether in a family, community, or crisis setting.

Read more at SPRC.org.