Resources
Here are some resources you can use to inform yourself about how to stay mentally, physically, and emotionally healthy even in the midst of racism and discrimination.
Black Health Lab Resources
Focus on Wellness.pdffinal-qtpoc-toolkit-1-1.pdffinal-targeted-toolkit-.pdficrace-toolkit-for-poc.pdfNational Research Mentoring Network - 7 Black Wellness Resources
African American Wellness Project—organized to respond to the inequities in health care delivery that exists between African Americans and the rest of America, their mission is to empower the African American Community to improve health outcomes and promote wellness.
Balanced Black Girl–a podcast with approachable health, self-care, personal development, and well-being advice from Black women wellness experts, it’s dedicated to helping you feel your best.
Black Mental Health Alliance—a trusted mental health organization for marginalized communities, their Instagram account highlights events, trainings, and resources.
Black Mental Wellness—an organization that provides access to evidence-based information and resources about mental health and behavioral health topics from a Black perspective, their website provides educational opportunities and trainings.
BLKHLTH—an organization that engages the public and health professionals on the impact of racism on Black health, their content, workshops, and events create space for education and action.
Dive In Well—founded by Maryam Ajayi, this account focuses on creating space, community, conversations and change for diversity in wellness.
Ourselves Black Podcast—a weekly podcast that delves into black mental health, Senior Editor Dr. Sarah Y. Vinson interviews mental health experts on a variety of topics and also provides a glimpse into the mental health journeys of others.
Factors that Put African Americans at Risk for Mental Health Problems
Racism, racial bias, and discrimination
Racial profiling
Institutional racism and social determinants of health like quality education, safe housing, gainful employment, appropriate health care, and a clean environment
Low socioeconomic status (SES)
Housing segregation
Mass incarceration
Trauma
Individual (i.e., negative life events, including poverty, victimization, abuse, and trauma)
Complex trauma (i.e., affects multiple generations and usually begins in early childhood and can disrupt many aspects of development and the formation of one’s sense of self)
Collective Trauma (i.e., refers to a trauma that happens to large groups of individuals and can be transmitted trans-generationally and across communities)
Historical Trauma (i.e., public narratives of complex and collective traumas)
Cultural Trauma (i.e., a collective traumatic event)
Suggested Assessment and Treatment Recommendations
Incorporate individual strengths
Family support
Spirituality
Community
Recognize provider bias
Consider historical trauma
Use validation and empowerment
Consider narrative therapy
Use talking or healing circles
Assess and address social determinants of health and community needs.
Assess community needs using a version of the Brief Risk Overview survey or other methods.
Nurture trusted institutions within the community (e.g., Boys and Girls Clubs, schools, barbershops, and centers of faith).
Facilitate partnerships between and enhance roles of health care providers and community programs (e.g., YMCA) to increase the probability of implementation success.
Encourage self-advocacy and increased healthcare engagement.
Consider using technology, peer navigators, and health coaches to reach members of the community.
Identify strengths, goals, and sustain well-being with the help of health coaches.
Please refer to the website for more details and resources related to the information above!
The Steve Fund campaign for young women and girls of color
As young women of color, we find help and healing together — with our families, loved ones and communities.
Today, young women of color are at greater risk for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicide and face inequitable access to care and treatments. Yet, when we do access care that speaks to our identities, cultures and histories, we find the support we need to thrive.
The Steve Fund’s “Shine Your Light” campaign centers the mental health and wellness of young women of color. Together with partners, experts and young women, we seek to shed light on culturally-responsive resources while elevating the inner light of young women of color through stories and community conversations.
Together, with support, knowledge and care, we will SHINE!
Here are 5 S-H-I-N-E calls to action to help each of us on our journey.
Please refer to the Steve Fund website for more specific details and resources related to these action steps!
SHINE
Seek and share resources
SHINE
Have a conversation
SHINE
Invest in everyday practices
SHINE
Normalize your journey
SHINE
Engage in change
CALM Microaggression Repair Tool
You've committed a microaggression, so what do you do?
Use this microaggression repair tool to repair relationships and maintain trusted connections with allies and friends.
Center the other person
Centering the other person sounds like…. “Please share what’s on your mind. I’m listening.”
Acknowledge impact over intent
Acknowledge that you have biases and blind spots.
Listen
Let the other person talk first, and validate their feelings.
Make it right
Offer a meaningful apology and ask what might help to make it right.
Please refer to the Active Minds website for more information on how to handle a situation where you may have committed a microaggression.