Black Equity Organisation’s Post

#Juneteenth celebrates freedom, resilience, and the ongoing fight for equality and justice. Juneteenth is not just a day to remember the end of slavery; it is also a reminder of the systemic inequalities that persist in our society. By addressing the disparities in maternal mental health and supporting Black mothers, we can honor the spirit of resilience and freedom that Juneteenth represents. ❤️🖤💚 Read our full blog post about maternal mental health for Black birthing people, the impact of racial disparities within the healthcare system, and how we can all work towards addressing these inequalities. Full post available via link in bio 🔗 #FreedomAndJustice #MaternalMentalHealth #BlackMothersMatter #ResilienceMatters #EqualityForAll #HealthcareInequality

What an incredibly powerful story and so fundamentally important. While I am so happy the featured young man was able to find help, I continue to be bothered by the perpetuated approach to fixing mental health access in our country: increased hours as an alternative pathway to licensure. The social work profession has continued to pertetuate the same narratives that are already known: there is a mental health crisis in our nation. This concern has been a long standing issue in our nation and yet the same approach to rectifying the problem continues to be perpetuated. Yes, I would agree that supervised hours are necessary, and yes I would agree that the test needs reform. However, there are other elements that must be examined (yes I know jurisdictions differ): 1. Increasing availability of cost-effective supervision—While I have been fortunate to find a practice where I was not charged for supervision, that was not the case for some of my colleagues who have paid almost $20,000 for supervision for a profession that does not always pay what therapists are worth. 2. Granting full licensure once the exam is passed— a major barrier is that interns who have passed their exam are required to maintain their intern credentials rather than being granted full licensure, which would allow access to other insurance panels that do not accept interns (again, yes I know that some jurisdictions may differ). 3. Increasing pipelines with therapist from different cultures—one of the biggest things I hear is “my therapist doesn’t look like me so they won’t understand my struggle.” While will not debate this point, the reality we face on the mental health profession is that the profession does not match the America that exists. I have faced this myself when I wanted to break into the work of treating birthing persons with postpartum depression, I was told I wouldn’t understand because I am not a woman. Yet, access to practitioners were limited and when there was nowhere else to turn, I was considered. Access to mental health is access to mental health and we should consider how to build bridges and competence until there can be a “therapist match” for the client. 4. Expand Insurance coverage and pay: Many therapists are leaving the profession because they are burned out from being undervalued and underpaid. I will let those smarter than me argue this, but if we are to look at the mental health crisis, we must look at all sides. Is the shortage because we don’t have therapists or because therapists are leaving? While the question might appear to look at the same thing, how we ask the question may lead to a different answer. 5. Examining those in positions of power: my own journey is that there has been a consistent look at increasing CEUs. Should we focus on things that matter to the professionals. While there are many more points to be made, I think we can all agree, we have some work to do.

Speaker spotlight! Short abstract: "Access to screenings and care for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) is a considerable barrier in communities of color. Research supports that, while cultural stigma related to mental health presents an obstacle, screening measures reflective of the Black experience and a lack of accessible support within Black communities are a challenge as well. Mothers have reported feeling unsafe discussing their experiences with PMADs with healthcare providers and even family out of fear of the consequences for them and their babies. In considering facilitators for maternal mental health outcomes, social support is a powerful method of bolstering Black mothers/birthing people when they are at their most vulnerable. This presentation will call on support systems, referred to here as “communities” to know their role in supporting the mental health of birthing people and their partners. There is more to supporting families than holding the baby and to bridge the gap for Black women, communities must step up, learn and advocate for those they love." Register today! https://lnkd.in/g7KUDwkP #SpeakerSpotlight #PMADs #PerinatalHealth #MentalHealth #CommunitySupport #BlackMothers #MaternalHealth #HealthDisparities #CulturalStigma #AccessibleCare #SocialSupport #BlackCommunities #MentalHealthAwareness #HealthEquity #AdvocateForMothers #BirthingPeople #SupportSystems #MaternalMentalHealth #HealthcareBarriers

Did you know even wealthy black mothers experience worse birth outcomes than poor white mothers? This startling fact highlights the deep-rooted impact of racism on maternal health disparities. This Black Maternal Health Week, we're shining a light on these disparities and advocating for change. Through education on perinatal mental health, trauma-informed care, anti-racism, and cultural competency, we're working to improve outcomes for Black families in CT. Swipe through to discover resources, training opportunities, and practical steps you can take to join us in this crucial mission. Sign up for the trainings mentioned here: https://hubs.li/Q02sKZ660 #traumainformedcare #blackmaternalhealthweek #bmhw2024 #blackmaternalhealth #healthcaredisparities #healthequity #ctwomensconsortium #thectwomensconsortium #culturalcompetency #perinatalhealth #perinatalmentalhealth

🔍 Exploring the Intersection of Race, Mental Illness, and Justice in Youth Care Youth in care are among society’s most vulnerable, often misunderstood, and even criminalized due to trauma-induced behaviors perceived as dangerous. Racialized youth face even greater challenges, disproportionately caught in a cycle of criminalization.    The article, "Punitive Justice: When Race and Mental Illness Collide in the Early Stages of the Criminal Justice System," written by our Research Associate Marsha Rampersaud, delves into how discriminatory perceptions of race and mental health shape justice system decisions from arrest to bail. 📚✨    🌟 Key Insights:  1) Impact of trauma on youth behavior and perceptions  2) Disproportionate criminalization of racialized youth  3) Need for systemic reform and compassionate approaches    Join the conversation and read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gPEC5aq    #StepStonesForYouth #childwelfare #criminaljustice #mentalhealth #SystemicChange 

Healthcare workers and teachers...need to learn more about racism in the mental healthcare system. Your Black students and patients do not deserve to be over policed. • • • • #mentalhealth #blackmentalhealth #blackyouth #teachers #healthcareworkers #therapist #mentalhealthawareness #socialworkers #counselors

Mental health care in the UK has come a long way, but there is still work to be done. For many Black people, accessing mental health services remains challenging. Stigma, lack of cultural understanding, and systemic barriers all contribute. Far too often, Black people do not get the support they need, when they need it. But it doesn’t have to be this way. We can build a future where mental health care is truly equitable and accessible to all. One where culturally competent services are the norm, where stigma has been defeated, and where systemic barriers no longer stand in the way of getting help. To get there, we need action. -We need more investment in mental health services, with a focus on cultural competency training. -We need more Black mental health professionals and community outreach programs. -We need to keep calling out inequities and advocating for change, while supporting those in need today. There is so much to be done, but working together, we can make mental health care inclusive for all. The path forward requires commitment, compassion and community. But with sustained effort, we can make that vision a reality. The time for change is now. Mental health is a human right. By ensuring care is equitable and accessible, we take one more step towards a fairer, healthier society for all. The work won’t be easy, but it’s necessary. And it starts with each of us. #blackmentalhealth #mentalhealthUK #discussions #equality #community

📍The Black Mental Health Manifesto calls for systemic change to address mental health inequalities faced by Black communities in the UK, driven by structural racism and discrimination. It demands government action, including reforms to the Mental Health Act and incorporating an anti-racist curriculum in education. 📍In the UK, Black adults are more likely to experience mental health issues but less likely to receive appropriate care. For instance, Black adults have the lowest mental health treatment rate at 6%, compared to 13% for White British adults. 📍We fully support the manifesto’s recommendation for mandatory Cultural Competency and Anti-Racism training for all practitioners, policymakers, and funders. As an organisation providing such training, we recognise its significant impact on workplace dynamics and Black mental health. To learn more about our training, click here: https://lnkd.in/daKrYJ28 📍At Nafsiyat, we endorse the Black Mental Health Manifesto’s efforts to advocate for transformative UK policies to enhance mental health care for Black communities. Initiatives like these drive real change, ensuring mental health care is inclusive and effective for all. #BlackMentalHealthManifesto #SystemicChange #EndRacism #MentalHealthEquity #StructuralRacism #PolicyReform #AntiRacism #CulturalCompetency #InclusiveEducation #MentalHealthForAll #MentalHealthUK #InclusiveCare #EffectiveMentalHealth #GlobalMajorityMentalHealth

A recent study conducted by Rutgers University School of Public Health has shed light on the psychological and physical tolls faced by Black men who survive gun violence. Survivors often go from being self-reliant to dependent, profoundly affecting their sense of self and identity. This drastic change, as the research points out, can lead to feeling like a burden on their caregivers, thus challenging their traditional roles as protectors and providers. Further, survivors struggle with their newfound limitations to perform everyday activities and battle mental health disorders. Moreover, societal perceptions and self-defined responsibilities around masculinity exacerbate their distress. Gun violence has emerged as a leading cause of death among Black males, with a notable increase in non-fatal injuries leading to disability. The aftermath not only threatens their physical health but also their mental well-being, thus making it a crucial public health concern. Read the full story by Alexa Spencer from Word in Black at dallasweekly.com #Iamdw #blackpress #gunviolencesurvivors #blackmenhealth #manhoodidentity #disabilityawareness #mentalhealthmatters

Join #UMSSW Associate Professor Dr. Theda Rose for a live webinar discussion, "Towards a More Holistic Conceptualization of Mental Health among Black Populations". This panel will highlight recent and forthcoming literature that summarize the interplay between racial discrimination, rumination, and health outcomes in efforts to highlight significance of rumination as an explanatory mechanism of the racial discrimination-adjustment link among Black communities. ➡️ Register Today! https://ow.ly/tkHK50QALKW #mentalhealth #changemakers #socialwork