Last week my daughter shared with me that she met with her new Primary Care Physician and casually mentioned that on the health history form she checked everyone in our family was positive for a history of mental health. My first automatic thoughts were as follows:
“Why would you do that?”
“What must that doctor think about our family?”
“That’s no one’s business.”
I grew up in the 70’s and 80’s where no one talked openly about mental health. I only overheard (okay eavesdropped) on hushed conversations that my mother had with my aunt over the telephone about what was happening in the family. My professional training as a psychologist in the 90’s focused mainly on symptoms and diagnosis and the system itself was primarily deficit oriented.
Even though I have done a lot of unlearning since then, that deep rooted unconscious bias and stigma remains.
The good news is that with awareness and intentionality to challenge those automatic thoughts, I have changed the narrative around mental health that I have passed along to my children. Mental health and wellbeing are a part of our regular conversations erasing the stigma and embracing all that makes us human – both the times of ease as well as the times of suffering.
May is Mental Health Awareness month and a time to share our stories and personal journeys. In this month’s newsletter you will find Jonathan Reinharth’s exploration of the sometimes blurred boundary between professional and client in “Am I a Peer?.” There is also an organizational resource for ways to support neurodiversity in the workplace so that everyone is given the opportunity to do and be their best.
May your light shine bright in the fullness of your whole self.
With gratitude,
Elizabeth
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Make meaningful, trauma-responsive changes
In the beginning, light was divided from darkness; day from night. How about… clinician from patient? This model formed in 19th-century medicine, and quickly extended into the newly germinating psychology. At first, psychological treatments were only for those in the worst circumstances (in hospitals).
But starting with Charcot, and then exploding onto the stage with Freud, everything changed. Psychiatry – and, diagnosis – became something for anyone.
Perhaps: everyone.
Understanding the Core Principles to Better Support Healing
The impact of trauma can show up anywhere. This includes work, school, and other environments where you’re expected to behave a certain way.
Imagine a world where every brain works in the same way. Everything would be predictable, efficient, and, let’s face it, a little bit dull. Now, think about a world where brains work differently, where some people see the world in shades others miss, or hear patterns others can’t quite catch.
The Intersection of Racial Identity, Wellbeing, and Trauma-Responsive Practice
In this episode of Pathways, Licensed Social Worker and Adjunct Professor Cecily Mitchell-Harper discusses her passion for trauma-responsive practice and the intersectionality of identity and well-being.
Episode 3: Adirondack Region is now live!
The NYS TINRC ENews is produced by CCSI. The views, opinions, and content expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or policies of the New York State Office of Mental Health (NYS OMH).
