Those Who Seek Understanding

It can be difficult to come to terms with the reality of having Black skin in America, especially since everyone’s experience is different. Therapy can be a great tool to unravel the spool of your pain, and use it to learn more about yourself and what you want to achieve.

Those Who Seek Recovery

After many instances of racially-charged encounters, trauma can develop. Remember, trauma is prolonged stress, and being the target of prejudice for things beyond your control can be extremely stressful. Our licensed therapists can help you discover the roots of your stress and manage it safely.

Those Who Seek Social Justice

For many, the realization that Black Americans face prejudice that leads to unnecessary trauma warrants social change. It can be exhausting to see the same issues affect your community over and over again. Speaking to someone can help you discover how you want to effect change.

Those Who Seek Advocacy

If you know you want to help your community gain access to healing, there’s no better place to begin than by talking to a licensed therapist. As they say on airplanes—we need to make sure our oxygen mask is on before we help those who can’t do it on their own. In order to advocate, you need to model good mental health.

WHAT IS RACIAL TRAUMA?

It is no secret that race plays a big role in our identities in America. The unfortunate truth is that we are judged by the color of our skin, and BIPOC or Black Americans, Indigenous peoples, and other People of Color face more prejudice due to negative associations with their culture and background. Prejudice leads to stress, which leads to trauma, and this vicious cycle has continued for the life of this country. We can continue to make meaningful change by addressing racial issues in our personal and collective experiences.

What We Know:

There is abundant evidence that racial discrimination and prejudice have an effect on trauma and mental health overall. Some of the negative mental health outcomes include anxiety, depression, violent behavior, hopelessness. But there are also physical outcomes: high blood pressure, thickening of arteries, and other elements regarding heart disease.

It’s important to note that these outcomes have been observed regardless of socioeconomic status, age, and even gender. Many licensed therapists believe the trauma associated with racial prejudice, even though not included in the DSM-5, is akin to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The truth is, no matter what we call it, racial trauma has mental and physical effects that are observable and that affect people’s lives every day.

How To Recognize Racial Trauma:

As mentioned above, racial trauma affects people both mentally and physically. In terms of mental health, racial trauma can mirror PTSD symptoms like chronic stress, hypervigilance, and mood disorders like anxiety and depression. Furthermore, the issues may represent themselves through bodily pain, like stomach aches or headaches, or the trauma may lead to behavioral issues. Symptoms of PTSD due to racial trauma have been observed in children as young as 12 years old.

To make matters worse, these symptoms are often more acute in people of color due to lack of accessibility to medical resources. So, not only are the symptoms more present in people of color due to prejudice, but the ability to seek help is also limited, leading to worse mental and physical outcomes.

How Do I Educate My Child About Racial Trauma?

Many parents ask about the right age to discuss the topic of race. However, many find that it’s not something they can ignore for too long. Even though it would be easier to explain and discuss race with an older child or teenager, it’s often better to discuss it after a lived experience and in context.

As with many difficult topics, the way to discuss race with your child is simply to have an open and honest conversation. Don’t be afraid to demonstrate vulnerability, or to show that you don’t have the answers. Still, before educating someone else on a topic, it’s always important to educate ourselves and learn our own biases to feel more comfortable having a discussion on race.

How Do I Deal With Microaggressions?

There are, in practice, two main ways to deal with microaggressions: talk it out or ignore it. Often, the decision is made on a case-by-case basis.

Many social justice advocates argue that people should call each other out on microaggressions because, if they don’t, how will this person learn? Having an open discussion with someone close to you about a potential racially-charged issue can open their eyes and make them understand what you go through on a daily basis.

On the other hand, some people say it’s not their job to educate others, and that sounds fair, too. If it feels too heavy, or you’re not in the right setting, ignoring a microaggression can be better for your mental health.

How Do I Deal With Racism In The Workplace?

The workplace is a difficult space to police because we are often left at the whim of our employer or our bosses, who may not share our understanding of racial issues. Many times, employees do not feel comfortable voicing their concerns, which is understandable. However, you could begin by talking to other employees and finding out if they feel the same way, and therefore building a better case for yourself. Ultimately, the decision is up to you—but know that in some cases, the best idea (if possible) is to find alternative employment that matches your values.

How Do I Start Conversations Around Racism In A Multiracial Group?

It often helps to begin with your own experiences. Share what you’ve lived through, how you see the issue affecting others, and always ask questions. By asking questions, you are showing others you care about their opinion, and it makes everyone in the room more open to discussion rather than debate. These types of conversations can be had with friends, at work, or in any other setting, as long as you all share a common respect for each other.

Be Seen, Be Heard

Feeling ignored or avoided is mentally draining. As social creatures, we yearn for human connection, and if we feel unseen or unheard, mental and physical problems will begin to manifest.

If you feel like racial trauma is overwhelming you, find ways to make yourself seen or heard. You can try connecting with friends in racially-conscious conversations in order to process your thoughts and emotions.

Practice Self-Care

With any difficult situation, mental health professionals often recommend the same things: exercise, diet, and some form of meditation or mindfulness practice. Racial trauma is no different—you will be stronger to face the future if you start bettering yourself today.

Don’t be afraid to take breaks. If your trauma is making you tired, or if you feel especially burdened by the symptoms, give yourself the space you need to be healthy.

Engage In Activism

Angela Davis said: “In a racist society, it is not enough to be non-racist. We must be anti-racist.” Her words ring true not just for social activists, but also for mental health professionals.

Fighting to create a better world can lead to feelings of empowerment, agency, and self-advocacy. These feelings are associated with higher self-esteem and more engagement at school and at work.