Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
The Daily Bruin - (Emily Dembinski/Illustrations director)
Minority Mental Health Awareness Month was brought about to specifically focus on mental health issues and stigmas within minority communities. While there is a collective stigma around mental health, communities of color have layered stigmas related to societal and economic impact. In comparison, culture has its history and relationship with mental health, usually rooted in cultural and societal misinformation in its relationship with mental health. OTO is on a mission to heal not only the societal stigmas in the Black community within mental health but also generational legacy healing.
What Oliver speaks to is the black experience and its uniqueness within mental health and education. He speaks to the many psychological and biological practices rooted in harming the black community. Within the last year, the APA not only apologized for its significant role in institutional, systemic harm against the black community. What most don’t say out loud is most psychological findings are rooted in the dehumanization of black people. Black men account for the highest increase in suicide ages 25-34. Black women make up 3 to 4 times more preventable pregnancy-related deaths. All due to the psychological misconception that black people can tolerate more pain. So until the foundational framework of mental health changes - beyond apologies - Oliver and OTO will continue to see disproportionate harm in communities and advocate against them through legacy healing work. Racism is embedded in psychology and in every institutional framework that exists in American culture—ranging from modern medicine to education. So for Oliver and OTO, this is where legacy healing work continues. Here the work not only includes Oliver speaking about financial healing through entrepreneurship but also psychological healing through the embodiment of authentic humanity. Oliver provides those who experience him a reflection of himself. This allows him to be an example of turning adversity and trauma into legacy healing work. His example is a part of what mental health and legacy work have in common, which is Perspective shifting. What he demonstrates is reframing your perspective to begin healing in order to create wealth in all areas of our lives.
So yes, we acknowledged the core of what is wrong with mental healthcare cause’ what we for sure gon’ do is hold ideologies, ourselves, and you accountable. But we can also acknowledge healing your mental health is the launching pad to healing your legacy.
With accountability and legacy healing in mind let’s confirm multiple truths exist below:
The acknowledgment that social stigmas and beliefs within Black culture contribute to mental health barriers. Writing off problematic behaviors as “That’s just how they are” has not been helpful. This is in part due to lacking knowledge about mental health along with fear surrounding mental health practices.
Lack of access to mental health resources and support is compounded by social stigma. Mental health issues cannot be prayed away, and access to mental health support needs to be quality-just like you need to find the right doctor; you also have to find the right mental health provider.
Representation of culture matters in mental health. While the institutional complications within mental health were acknowledged- The knowledge of historical and cultural competency, including socio-economic impacts, religious and cultural understandings, and stereotypes, can assist with influential and trustworthy mental health support.
Mental health and finances are tied in a couple of ways. Mental health care can be expensive, but there are free resources available. They just aren’t always easy to find. Secondly, your mental health and attitudes about money can contribute to your relationship with money. Healing your mental health can help to see these things clearly.
In response to these barriers, we at OTO would like to say mental health requires priority in our lives. But, if we can incorporate the maintenance and prevention of mental health in the black community, we can be an integral part of legacy healing, psychologically and economically - which is something OTO will always stand for. This Minority Mental Health Awareness Month is for you to advocate for your mental wellness. Once you begin to heal your legacy, you can heal what was broken in society.
So to play our part, here are a few resources to begin your mental health wellness journey. Here is access to individualized mental health support options:
GeneSight®️ Psychotropic Pharmacogenomic Test - find out what overall support you need by how your genetic makeup responds to all medications (Typically $330 or less with insurance, should be 0 with Medi-Cal or Medicare)
Therapy for Black Girls
https://therapyforblackgirls.com
Therapy for Black Men
https://therapyforblackmen.org
Better Help
https://www.betterhelp.com/get-started/