Page 5 - BCAC International Awareness & Involvement Newsletter

MENTAL HEALTH POST PANDEMIC
"REJUVENATION"
A STATE OF MIND
MINDFULNESS IN RECOVERY
A MENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVE
HOW HAS COVID-19 IMPACTED OUR COMMUNITY FROM A MENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVE?
The effects of COVID-19 continue to impact communities of color throughout the United States disproportionately.
Approximately 98 out of every 100,000 African Americans have died from COVID-19, a mortality rate that is a third higher than that for Latinos and more than double that for Whites and Asians. (nih.gov, 2020)
The CDC reports that over 30% of adults felt consistently anxious and worried in 2020 (census.gov, 2021). However, those subject to racism, discrimination, and inequity were further affected in terms of poor mental health.
FROM A MENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVE WHAT ARE THE LASTING EFFECTS OF COVID-19?
According to the Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health (2021), Black adults in the U.S. are more likely than White adults to experience persistent symptoms of emotional distress. Still, only one in three Black adults with mental illness receive treatment. In addition, the American Psychiatric Association's (APA) Mental Health Facts for African Americans reports that adults from Black and Brown communities are also less likely to use emergency rooms or primary care (rather than mental health specialists).
A MENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVE
DR. DELVENA THOMAS
MEMBER, BROWARD COUNTY ALUMAE
Dr. Delvena Thomas is a Board Certified Psychiatrist who provides mental health counseling services expertise. Dr. Thomas has advanced community-based mental health awareness and education through many platforms, including promoting mental health recovery through her podcast, "BRAINLOVEHELP."
Dr. Thomas is in the South Florida community and can be contacted and watched on all social media platforms. As a contributor to this guide, Dr. Thomas provides her professional perspective on "REJUVENATION."
IA&I - DECEMBER 2022
THE HEALING PROCESS
REJUVENATION OF YOUR MINDSET TO BEGIN HEALING AND UNDERSTANDING
SOROR Delvena Thomas offers the following Rejuvenation information: Suppose you or someone you care about is experiencing challenges with their mental health. In that case, you deserve and should seek quality care from a culturally competent mental health care professional as soon as symptoms are recognized. Providers expect and welcome questions from their patients or clients since this helps them better understand what is essential in their treatment. When meeting with a provider, it can be helpful to ask questions to get a sense of their level of cultural awareness.
Consider asking, "Do you use a different approach in your treatment when working with patients from different cultural
backgrounds?" and "What is your current understanding of differences in mental health outcomes from Black patients?"
Whether you seek help from a primary care professional or a mental health professional, you should finish your sessions with the professional feeling HEARD and RESPECTED.
You may want to ask yourself:
Did my provider communicate
effectively with me?
Did I feel like I was treated with respect and dignity?
Does my provider understand and relate well with me?
The relationship and communication between you and your healthcare provider or mental healthcare provider are crucial to treatment.
You must feel that your identity is understood to receive the best possible support and care.