July was first declared as National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month in 2008. Since then, July has been a time to acknowledge and explore issues concerning mental health, substance use disorders, and minority communities, and to destigmatize mental illness and enhance public awareness of mental illness among affected minority groups across the U.S. Studies suggest that racial minority groups and sexual minority groups show higher levels of anxiety, depression, suicidal tendencies, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health disorders. Unfortunately, in most of the cases, society’s deep-rooted prejudice towards such stigmatized minority groups is a major cause of feelings of rejection, estrangement, and harassment. Moreover, immigration status, economic conditions, education levels, and access to public health benefits are just a few differences that can adversely impact the experiences of various ethnic groups in the U.S.
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) has compiled a list of helpful resources for parents and caregivers, children and teens, mental health providers, child welfare and juvenile justice professionals, healthcare providers, educators and school staff, and policy makers.
Addresses the issues facing poor, urban, African American children who deal with traumatic stress. The webinar discusses how conceptions of race and racism have an impact on these children and their families.
Describes adaptations for working with traumatized Latino/Hispanic children and their families.
Provides an overview of organizational cultural and linguistic competence, organizational assessment, and resources.
Presents issues related to trauma in Latino and Hispanic populations.
Outlines the NCTSN resources that are available on culture and trauma before 2006.
Describes the importance of translating materials from English to Spanish, the diversity of the language needs among Hispanic groups, and recommendations.
Includes information from providers and members of different Native Nations on how experiencing loss, especially the loss of elders, has impacted traditional ways of parenting in their communities.