CULTURAL AWARENESS IN THERAPY FOR BIPOC MENTAL HEALTH MONTH

Let’s face it. No matter how much you try to walk in other people’s shoes in a show of solidarity, their experiences are so unique that all you can really do is listen to their stories and offer your support any way you can.

Every July is Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Mental Health Awareness Month, and it focuses specifically on historically underserved and marginalised groups. It highlights our unique experiences when it comes to discrimination, oppression, and systemic racism, which in turn, can create deep-seated individual traumas.

One thing we do know is that 17 million UK residents have culturally diverse backgrounds, and one in every four UK residents experience mental health problems annually. By spotlighting these issues throughout July, the collective goal is to create safe environments for BIPOC members of our various communities to thrive, feel a sense of belonging, and take care of our mental health.

When workplaces embrace individuals from diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and abilities, they create a culture where everyone feels valued and respected for who they are. And this can be achieved through the power of community. Organising wellness activities can also help foster cultural awareness in therapy.

Fear can inadvertently deter people from seeking the therapy and coaching they need due to cultural insensitivity. This often acts as a barrier to mental health care, which in turn creates a stigma.

So what is a mental health stigma? It is defined as a “negative or discriminatory attitude” someone has towards mental health. In some communities, it can be seen as a sign of weakness, while others see it as “airing your dirty laundry in public”, an oft-used phrase when it comes to BIPOC mental health and therapy.

So, how can you be an ally and help raise cultural awareness in therapy within your own diverse networks?

Remember, many underserved communities come from cultures where there is still a stigma attached to therapy and external mediation. You can speak openly about your own mental health journey, which can in turn create an inclusive and safe space for others to share their own stories with you. While younger generations may be more comfortable speaking about their mental health, older generations may have lived through cultural generational trauma that impacts their ability to speak, without shame, about their individual mental health journeys.

At Tala Thrive, we fully understand and prioritise cultural awareness in therapy. By acknowledging new perspectives from younger generations as well as traditional wisdom that comes with older generations, we’re also creating a safe space for BIPOC mental health through our platform. We match you to therapists and coaches who understand your culture, language and/or religion, and can provide culturally competent care and support.

Join our community and let us connect you with the right therapist!

Remember, we want you to thrive - mentally, physically, and emotionally - so you can start living the life you truly deserve.