Natalie Malone’s Post

On Wednesday, July 31st, Black Psychology Section member Ms. Hannah McDowell will present on "Supporting Parenting in the Digital Age: Evidence-Based Strategies to Foster Connection." This presentation aims to equip (parents &) professionals with the tools and knowledge to support children and families in today’s digitally-driven world. Attendees will learn evidence-based strategies for effectively helping parents manage and limit screen time and explore empirically supported ways to mitigate the impacts of screen time. Techniques for fostering stronger, more meaningful connections between children and their parents in the digital era will be discussed. Join us here: https://lnkd.in/gexEWpG7

How? You ensure that those voices have meaningful seats at the decision making table.

📢I think we all knwo someone who struggles to be their best selves consistently... but do you think this is a helpful strategy?🤷♂️ 📊Data on Mental Health Act detentions in England for 2022/2023 reveals that Black individuals and those in socio-economically deprived areas face higher detention rates, persisting over years. 📈While there's some improvement, disparities in access to mental health support continue. The Royal College of Psychiatrists calls for government action, emphasizing the need for resources and Mental Health Act reform. Despite a reduction, Black individuals, especially from Caribbean backgrounds, still experience significantly higher detention rates. Economic disadvantage also plays a role, with higher detention rates in deprived communities. 🙏The College urges the government to reform legislation, allowing individuals with mental illness to make advance choices about treatment. Advance choice documents may reduce detentions by up to 25%, particularly benefiting Black patients. 🏛️The College calls on political parties to commit to reducing mental illness prevalence ahead of the general election. For more details, refer to their manifesto, "Preventing Mental Illness." What do you think would help?

Revolutionizing The Resourcing of Black Communities Learn more and Support: https://lnkd.in/gtGu3TRy Give via CashApp: $TheOdysseyProject21 Research on the Influence of Epigenetics on Disease and Mental Health: https://lnkd.in/eZHwTbe 🌟 Support The Odyssey Project's Mission for Mental Health and Black Empowerment! 🌟 At The Odyssey Project, we are not just an organization; we are a movement committed to igniting positive change within the Black community. Driven by the visionary Dr. Rick Wallace, we are embarking on a crucial initiative to revolutionize mental health resources for adult males with disorders, particularly personality and schizo disorders. Why Support Our Cause? 🌍 Urgent Need for Change: Current laws and policies hinder Black men with mental health challenges from accessing the help they need, leading to homelessness or imprisonment. Your support can break this cycle and pave the way for intervention. 🔍 Scientific Research for Solutions: We are actively conducting groundbreaking research to present data to state and federal legislators. By addressing issues such as intergenerational trauma, social dysfunctionality, and financial deficiencies, we aim to empower Black individuals to overcome systemic challenges. 👨👩👧👦 Rebuilding the Black Family: Our focus extends beyond mental health. We're dedicated to rebuilding the Black family nucleus, promoting education, and combating issues like the high divorce and incarceration rates. 📚 Knowledge is Power: Dr. Rick Wallace has invested over 80,000 hours in research, exploring critical topics like economic castration, political ignorance, and the impact of negative mass propaganda. Your support fuels the dissemination of this knowledge for real change. Learn more and Support: https://lnkd.in/gtGu3TRy Give via CashApp: $TheOdysseyProject21 Research on the Influence of Epigenetics on Disease and Mental Health: https://lnkd.in/eZHwTbe #theodysseyproject #blackmenlead #drrickwallace #mentalhealthintheblackcommunity #blackmenmentalhealh #schizophrenia #mentaldisorders #mentalhealthpolicies #mentalhealthlaws #blackcommunityinitiatives

Public services were designed for the 'default white male'. In Public Harms, a new joint report from the Fawcett Society and Black Equity Organisation, the research shows the Black women are so often at the sharpest end of harm due to a system that was not made by us or for us. Reviewing research into policing, education and mental health services, Public Harms draws out key themes that emerge across these services. Read it now: https://lnkd.in/eFsiATaW

Did you know?! According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), in 1954, only one-third of state mental hospitals in the U.S. allowed Black patients, highlighting the segregation of mental health services at that time.  In 1964, the integration of mental health services in the United States became significant for Black communities. Prior to this, mental health services were often segregated, with limited access for Black People. Integration efforts aimed to address racial disparities in access to mental health care, although challenges persisted in ensuring equitable access for Black communities.  During Black History Month, it's crucial to recognize the significance of the integration of mental health services for Black communities as a part of the broader struggle for equity in the USA today. We remember history in order not to repeat it. #blackhistorymonth

It's infuriating and heartbreaking that we live in a world where the terror inflicted upon Black communities is not only pervasive but broadcasted for all to see. Every time a Black life is stolen by police violence, the ripple effect is immense—families shattered, communities pushed to the brink, and mental health crises deepening. The statistics are chilling. That African Americans are 20 percent more likely to suffer severe psychological distress isn't just a number—it's a reflection of the relentless trauma and systemic racism that permeates every facet of their lives. And yet, Black women, who bear the brunt of this burden, are half as likely to seek the help they need. Not because they don't want to, but because the system has failed them time and time again. Dismissing these concerns as "cultural" is a gross oversimplification that ignores the reality: this is a systemic issue. Black people are rightfully afraid of being misdiagnosed, of being labeled, of being misunderstood by clinicians who haven't walked a day in their shoes. The biases that lead to the overdiagnosis or underdiagnosis of Black women are not just negligent—they are deadly. Sonya Massey's tragic case is a stark reminder that untreated mental illness in the Black community is not just a health issue; it’s a matter of life and death. The failure to protect Black women forces them to carry the weight of their own safety, often at the expense of their well-being. This is not just a public health crisis; it is a moral failing. We cannot continue to ignore the emotional labor that Black women are forced to endure because the system refuses to do its job. Enough is enough. Change the systems that are broken!

Consider joining our research study Positive racial identity is a significant factor in the mental health and well-being of Black Americans. We are researching ways Black Americans develop positive racial identity. If you or someone you know may be interested in participating in this research, please consider joining our study. Participants of our research will be given 2 months to read the book, Black Lives are Beautiful: 50 Tools to Heal from Trauma and Promote Positive Racial Identity (Steele & Newton, 2023). A copy of the book will be provided to you. You will be asked to participate in a brief screening, a one-hour interview, and focus group at the completion of your reading. Individuals who identify as Black American and are ages 18 to 25 years are welcome to participate. If you are interested in learning more about the study, contact Char Newton at char.whitehead@legacyhealthcenter.com or (248) 233-3994 or Glinda Rawls at glinda.rawls@wmich.edu or (269) 387-5108. To sign up for the study, please click the following link: https://lnkd.in/gX5kZSHp

Written by: Dr. Candacè King We are currently living in an era where police terror is being televised. For every precious Black life we tragically witness being unjustly taken by police violence, there is a Black family that mourns and a larger community of Black people whose mental health hangs in balance. According to data from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, African Americans are 20 percent more likely to experience serious psychological distress than white Americans. These studies also show that Black women are about half as likely to seek mental health care. While it’s common to dismiss these concerns as “cultural,” the fact is the root of these issues are largely systemic. Black people’s fear of misdiagnosis or being labeled as “crazy” by a clinician who does not fully understand their life experiences are valid. There is a devastating trend in which Black women are either overdiagnosed or underdiagnosed based on preconceived racial and gender biases. Furthermore, as we saw in the tragic case of Sonya Massey, these misreadings can have deadly consequences. As many as half of all police shootings involved untreated severe mental illnesses. The persistent failure to keep Black women safe forces them to take matters into their own hands, often at the expense of their emotional labor. Read more at ESSENCE.com

"Black don’t crack - until it does." This was the title of my dissertation on mental health stigma in the Black community, where I explored how the factors religiosity, acculturation, and discrimination contribute to deep-seated stigma. One recurring theme was the perception that seeking mental health care is seen as a sign of ‘weakness’. Resilience, born from centuries of systemic oppression, is a valuable trait that has allowed us to endure and thrive. However, this same resilience can be dangerous when it discourages us from seeking help. As Ruth White highlighted, much of the pushback against seeking treatment stems from ideas like: “We have survived so much adversity, and now someone is going to say that there's something wrong with us." Moreover, implicit biases towards Black individuals already exist within societal structures, including workplaces and healthcare. These biases can lead to underestimation of mental health needs and contribute to the stigma surrounding seeking help. The emphasis on strength can create barriers to addressing our mental health needs, perpetuating a culture where suffering in silence is normalised. This stigma not only impacts individuals but also our community’s overall well-being and potential for healing. To overcome this, we must redefine strength to include vulnerability and seeking help. By promoting open dialogue, advocating for culturally competent care, and supporting initiatives that prioritise mental health equity for Black individuals, we can dismantle these barriers. Let’s celebrate our resilience while challenging the stigma that prevents us from seeking the support we deserve. Together, we can foster a community where mental health is valued, understood, and supported at every level. #MentalHealth #MentalHealthStigma