This question was recently sent to me via one of my psychology blogs: Is extreme racism a form of mental disorder?  My answer: The American Psychological Association has never officially recognized extreme racism as a mental health problem, although the issue was raised more than 30 years ago. After several racist killings in the…
race and mental health
“Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As an adult, Dr. King experienced bouts of severe depression. From childhood, he experienced highs and lows. A brilliant student and writer, he skipped his freshman and senior years of high school before…
race and mental health
What’s the worst problem you have right now? Many people are struggling with where to work, live, be; loss of home, job, business, and livelihood. Dreams. They may have watched savings diminish, prospects wither, doors close. They may be forced to address serious health problems and illness, of self and beloved others. Even without the…
strategies for self-care
‘I Have Your Back’ Reaching out for support is a skill we’re somehow expected to know, yet it’s never taught and rarely modeled for us. When you need help -no matter the kind of help you need, or the person you need it from -to simply state “Can you help me?” can be fraught with…
anxietydepressionGeneralstrategies for self-careUncategorized
Vulnerability is the driving force of connection. It’s brave. It’s tender. It’s hard to connect without it. But we’ve turned it into a weakness. Toughing it out, chin up buttercup, has become a standard. It defines strength to many people. For others, hearing the refrain, ‘you’re so strong’, may leave them feeling that sad, tender,…
General
When to check in: – They have socially withdrawn. That includes avoiding social media, not responding to phone calls, emails, or texts, and a lack of overall participation in activities. -They are going through a difficult life event. This may include unemployment, bereavement, break up of a relationship, health problems, financial hardship. -They are behaving…
General
Lighten Up! Why can’t you just act happy. You’ll feel better. Things are not that bad. You become what you think. You do not need to take those pills. You’ll just get addicted to them. Just chill, bruh. Just have gratitude. A hot bath always helps. Get a job. It will keep you busy. Smile…
depression
In my doctoral studies, I had the honor of working on a research study on conjugal bereavement with Dr. Dacher Keltner. Dr. Keltner, in addition to prolific work in a wide range of areas, has developed the science of compassion and empathy into a multidisciplinary field. In short, the study I co-authored found that in…
Generalstrategies for self-care
The psychoanalyst Alice Miller wrote: “the true opposite of depression is neither gaiety nor absence of pain, but vitality—the freedom to experience spontaneous feelings. It is part of the kaleidoscope of life that these feelings are not only happy, beautiful, or good but can reflect the entire range of human experience, including envy, jealousy, rage,…
trauma
Client: please teach me how not to cry. Me: what would happen if you did? Him: it’s not acceptable.  Crying is a natural response humans have to a range of emotions, including sadness, grief, joy, anger, and frustration. It is not unusual to cry, and both sexes cry more than many people may assume.…
Generalstrategies for self-care
Combined with psychoeducational testing, it helps provide comprehensive information and recommendations to help children and teens six and up.
