Mental health trends and how they affect communities of color

Research interest in “why do i feel anxious for no reasonHas increased by 400% in 2021 in the United States compared to 2020. How does this specifically affect communities of color?

There is always a reason why you feel anxious, you may not have discovered it yet. For communities of color, before and during the pandemic, there are unique experiences that affect their mental well-being. You may be faced with everyday discrimination, feel a lack of autonomy in a system that suppresses or struggling with crossed identities.

Fast forward to COVID-19, and you’ve got a huge loss of control. You cannot see it, smell it or touch it, but it is always imminent and always present. So of course you are going to feel anxious.

Also in some communities, getting mental health help is stigmatized. What I’m telling people is that your brain is your control center for your whole body. If your thoughts are not there, it will impact every facet of how you function. And if something is wrong and wrong, why shouldn’t we have help?

As people prepare to return to work and school, what would you say to those who experience discomfort or anxiety?

Your feelings about the transition are valid. Some people are happy to socialize again, others are relieved that home may not always be the safest place for them, and still others are nervous about interacting with people. people outside their bubble. Don’t judge your feelings and accept that you will experience different moods every day.

What practical steps can we take to deal with these feelings?

There is still a lot of uncertainty, but part of what we can do to weather this storm is to be present. Instead of thinking about what will happen in two or twelve months, ask yourself how you are feeling right now and what you need right now. Set limits and goals for yourself. For example, if you feel safer wearing a mask, continue to do so, even if you don’t have to. If you suffer from social anxiety, make a goal of socializing for 15 minutes at lunch before allowing yourself to return to your desk to decompress. Exposure is one of the most helpful things in improving social anxiety. Start small and challenge yourself to build on it every day.

Many people are turn to therapy, and research interest in “black therapists“Increased last summer. How can members of the BIPOC community find a therapist?

A quick Google search will show you resources near you – and even a self evaluation to help you learn more about anxiety. When finding a therapist, many therapists have an online biography where they can talk about their own who they think is important or communities they have worked with before – start there. Then ask for a consultation and assess them for yourself. I love it when new customers ask me questions! You don’t have to choose the first therapist you find. Remember that you are shopping and want to feel comfortable and secure.

I am a Blue Dot earphone at Google. Our goal is to destigmatize conversations about mental health in the workplace through alliance, peer support and education. I would like to know from you, how can we be better allies for mental health at work?

As allies, we must verify our own beliefs and prejudices and adopt a continuous learning and unlearning posture. I also encourage people to know their limits. There are often times when we are trying to support people, but it is beyond our reach. Know when to connect people to the right resources.

You have been working in the mental health field for almost a decade, what makes you expect the mental well-being of historically under-represented groups?

The fact that people are even researching mental health topics is encouraging. It gives me hope that people are willing to learn and unlearn things.