“A big part of leading people to move towards responsiveness is changing the way that we talk about mental health,” says Tyler Reitzner, consultant for the Minnesota Association of Community Mental Health Programs (MACMHP). He is the lead organizer, along with the Great Lakes Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network (MHTTCN), of the Culturally Responsive Mental Health … [Read more...]
Local therapist launches free video course to address racialized trauma
Resma Menakem Renown therapist Resmaa Menakem has just launched a free online series empowering individuals and communities to address and heal from race-based trauma. Studies continue to show that African Americans suffer more mental health problems than their White counterparts. And, much of the problems are attributed to racial microaggressions — from overt racial … [Read more...]
Mining the resources to heal Black trauma
Resmaa Menakem stalked tables of people — Black, White, and other — all dressed up and gathered to eat baked chicken and think about Blackness at a fundraising gala for the Racial Justice Network (RJN) in St. Paul. Dressed in a casual blue and off-white plaid shirt, the sure-footed trauma specialist and author weaved around the room at the event hosted by the newly formed … [Read more...]
‘My Grandmother’s Hands,’ an enlightening how-to approach to heal racial trauma
“For the past three decades, we've earnestly tried to address White-body supremacy in America with reason, principle and ideas — using dialogue, forums, discussions, education and mental training. But the widespread destruction of Black bodies continues. And some of the ugliest destruction originates with the police. Why is there such a chasm between our well-intentioned … [Read more...]