Racism, Coping and Mental Health Support

Santa Fe College celebrates diversity and embraces everyone's lived experience. We stand for social justice, and we condemn every act of racism, brutality, and oppression.

In these difficult times, know that the Counseling and Wellness Center continues to serve as a support to the students of the college offering Zoom and phone appointments.  To make an appointment with a Counselor, call 352-395-5508 or email counseling@sfcollege.edu.

Overview

Racism and discrimination negatively may impact mental health functioning. Specifically, those who experience discrimination are at risk for experiencing heightened symptoms of depression, mood disorders, anxiety and other psychological concerns. Repeated ethnic or racial discrimination is also linked to lowered self-esteem and internalized hatred. 

Additionally, "attitudes toward mental illness vary among individuals, families, ethnicities, cultures, and countries." In other words, culture and country of origin impact the level of mental health stigma.

Behavior that is seen as dysfunctional in one culture may be seen as perfectly normal in another culture.  For example, many White families in the US expect their adult children to move out on their own and into their own homes. In many Hispanic families in the US, parents see it as normal for their children to stay at home. Having a mutual understanding and respect for the importance of cultural context and cultural sensitivity is essential in any counseling relationship.

All the counselors at the Santa Fe College Counseling and Wellness Center believe in a commitment to understanding how culture and diversity impacts mental health functioning. 

Resources on Racism, Coping and Mental Health Supports

Steve Fund Crisis Text Line Dedicated to the mental health and emotional well-being of students of color. If you are a young person of color who is feeling stressed, depressed, or anxious, text STEVE to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor 24/7.

Asian American Suicide Prevention and Education Call 1-877-990-8585 24 hours a day. Cantonese, Mandarin, Japanese, Korean Fujianese are offered.

Race-based Trauma Resources

NAMI's Statement on Recent Racist Incidents and Mental Health Resources for African Americans

13 Inclusive Therapy and Mental Health Resources for BIPOCs

Imade on Depression, Social Justice and Mental Health Imade Nibokun is a writer and activist in North Carolina. In this video, she talks about her experiences with depression and the relationship between social justice and mental health.

Live Another Day Extensive information on mental health and substance use resources for people of color. Their mission is equal access to life-saving resources. They have guides for black, Latinx, Asian, and native people.

Detox Local An extensive list of mental health and substance use resources specifically for the AAPI (American Asian and Pacific Islander) community.

Helpful Coping for Discrimination

Empirical evidence supports the idea that experiencing discrimination is related to negative health outcomes, including for mental health.  However, stressing about experiencing stress will only bring on more stress! Turning towards one's family or community can help mitigate the negative impacts of racial distress.  Furthermore, limiting social media or news containing racist content can also help.  Finally, spending time recharging either through leisure activities or spiritual practices (religious services, meditation, spending time in nature) can reduce stress. These actions, however, are not the only ways to cope. While stepping back from hate and discrimination is appropriate for some, for others, it's taking a step forward that provides relief. Whether it's volunteering, engaging in peaceful protest, or working to educate the misinformed, there is no shortage of ways to actively work against hate. The point here is to say that there are many ways to cope with discrimination and deciding how to respond and cope is a personal decision, but one that can always be discussed with a counselor, friend, or family member.

Additionally, the "toolkit" for people of color has valuable information for surviving and resisting hate. 

Learning more about culture and diversity

For those curious to learn more about cultures other than their own, visit these links:

Supporting Cultural Diversity

For individuals seeking to support those that are culturally different than themselves it's good to first understand some of the commonly used terms one might encounter. 

Ally: An individual in the majority group who supports and advocates for an oppressed group.

Intersectionality: Used to describe how social inequality is experienced as an "intersection" of several forms of discrimination. For instance, a black woman experiences both racism and sexism.  The video below can help define the ins and outs of intersectionality:

Implicit Bias: Attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions on an unconscious level. Having implicit biases is part of being human.  However implicit (unconscious) biases relating to gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, or religion can lead to discrimination. For example, a common implicit bias regarding race is to assume criminality in a Black or African American person.  A common gender implicit bias is for teachers to expect that boys will perform better than girls on math tests. 

Microagression: An indirect, subtle, or unintentional discrimination against members of a marginalized group such as a racial or ethnic minority.

 

Being a Better Ally

  • Do be open to listening to others, especially people who are marginalized by society
  • Do be aware of your implicit biases or stereotypes
  • Do your research to learn more about the history of racial oppression
  • Do work to figure out how to change the oppressive systems
  • Do amplify (online and when physically present) the voices of those without your privilege

More information on being an ally can be found at http://www.guidetoallyship.com/, from which this content was adapted.

Resources on Campus

Equal Access and Equal Opportunity at SF

Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies or concerns about discrimination or harassment, including concerns about sexual harassment or sexual violence under Title IX, should be directed to

Equal Opportunity Officer and Title IX Coordinator
3000 NW 83rd Street, R-Annex, Room 113, Gainesville, Florida 32606
352-395-5950
equity.officer@sfcollege.edu

References

https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/apa-blogs/apa-blog/2017/10/racism-and-mental-health

http://www.apa.org/pi/oema/resources/ethnicity-health/racism-stress.aspx