{"id":2402,"date":"2021-07-06T21:54:27","date_gmt":"2021-07-06T21:54:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/?p=2402"},"modified":"2022-09-27T14:42:47","modified_gmt":"2022-09-27T14:42:47","slug":"an-upside-to-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/an-upside-to-2020\/","title":{"rendered":"An Upside to 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id='av_section_1'  class='avia-section main_color avia-section-default avia-no-border-styling  avia-bg-style-scroll  avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_section  avia-builder-el-first  inner-heading-area  container_wrap fullsize' style='background-color: #222222;background-image: linear-gradient(to right,#222222,#00aeef); '  ><div class='container' ><main  role=\"main\" itemprop=\"mainContentOfPage\"  class='template-page content  av-content-full alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-2402'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-ketvxyew-fd2803b4eb1c14056cc10c0b4eaa89a1\">\n#top .av_textblock_section.av-ketvxyew-fd2803b4eb1c14056cc10c0b4eaa89a1 .avia_textblock{\nfont-size:20px;\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n\n@media only screen and (min-width: 480px) and (max-width: 767px){ \n#top .av_textblock_section.av-ketvxyew-fd2803b4eb1c14056cc10c0b4eaa89a1 .avia_textblock{\nfont-size:20px;\n}\n}\n\n@media only screen and (max-width: 479px){ \n#top .av_textblock_section.av-ketvxyew-fd2803b4eb1c14056cc10c0b4eaa89a1 .avia_textblock{\nfont-size:18px;\n}\n}\n<\/style>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-ketvxyew-fd2803b4eb1c14056cc10c0b4eaa89a1 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock inner-landing-text av_inherit_color'  itemprop=\"text\" ><h2>An Upside to 2020<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/main><!-- close content main element --><\/div><\/div><div id='av_section_2'  class='avia-section main_color avia-section-default avia-no-border-styling  avia-bg-style-scroll  avia-builder-el-2  el_after_av_section  el_before_av_section  inner-img-col  container_wrap fullsize' style=' '  ><div class='container' ><div class='template-page content  av-content-full alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-2402'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-bi6gjm-3cbc43c8ab387224f59b49822e2ceee6\">\n.flex_column.av-bi6gjm-3cbc43c8ab387224f59b49822e2ceee6{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-bi6gjm-3cbc43c8ab387224f59b49822e2ceee6 av_two_third  avia-builder-el-3  el_before_av_one_third  avia-builder-el-first  first flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  '     ><section  class='av_textblock_section av-kqsk30iw-95442a714345c7759b14e7c0e9219b93 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p><em><strong>By Guest Blogger: Chantel Kufeji, LMSW, <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/chris180.org\/\"><strong>Chris 180<\/strong><\/a><strong> Training Specialist\/Internal ARC Trainer and Consultant<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>2020 was life-changing and 2021 has kept up some of its disarray, but there are bright spots to be found. Though the experiences of the Black community differ, this year, the Black community is placing greater emphasis on mental health and self-care.<\/p>\n<p>Historically, cultural factors have often kept us from getting the proper help and have shaped the stigma surrounding mental health in our community. For many Black people, it can be challenging to discuss mental health or even seek out help. A significant portion of this mindset comes from family values and spirituality, which have become our overarching sources of strength and support. Many feel that their problems aren&#8217;t that big, or they have reached the point they think therapy won&#8217;t work. Instead of creating safe spaces for one another, we are taught by generations before us to &#8216;pray it away,\u2019 or to &#8220;get over it.&#8221; We teach our sons that &#8220;big boys don&#8217;t cry\u201d and our young girls that they must bear life\u2019s burdens alone, with mental health traumas then passing from one generation to the next. These were the lessons a lot of us grew up learning and internalizing. <em>Are the family matriarchs and patriarchs to blame or were they doing the best they knew how with the tools they were given?<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-8qcx9e-647f693e8c0e9c657776d6f87abb3e53\">\n.flex_column.av-8qcx9e-647f693e8c0e9c657776d6f87abb3e53{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-8qcx9e-647f693e8c0e9c657776d6f87abb3e53 av_one_third  avia-builder-el-5  el_after_av_two_third  avia-builder-el-last  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  '     ><style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-kqsk4nv2-bf86c6a843913a14f5b7fa9fca069ef9\">\n.avia-image-container.av-kqsk4nv2-bf86c6a843913a14f5b7fa9fca069ef9 img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-kqsk4nv2-bf86c6a843913a14f5b7fa9fca069ef9 .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-kqsk4nv2-bf86c6a843913a14f5b7fa9fca069ef9 av-styling- avia-align-center  avia-builder-el-6  avia-builder-el-no-sibling '   itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" class='wp-image-2403 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-2403 avia_image ' src=\"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/pic-1.jpg\" alt='' title='pic-1'  height=\"576\" width=\"467\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/pic-1.jpg 467w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/pic-1-243x300.jpg 243w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 467px) 100vw, 467px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- close content main div --><\/div><\/div><div id='av_section_3'  class='avia-section alternate_color avia-section-default avia-no-border-styling  avia-bg-style-scroll  avia-builder-el-7  el_after_av_section  el_before_av_section  inner-img-col  container_wrap fullsize' style=' '  ><div class='container' ><div class='template-page content  av-content-full alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-2402'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-787z82-b8a3d82baeea001d88e082a6e7cb6851\">\n.flex_column.av-787z82-b8a3d82baeea001d88e082a6e7cb6851{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-787z82-b8a3d82baeea001d88e082a6e7cb6851 av_one_third  avia-builder-el-8  el_before_av_two_third  avia-builder-el-first  first flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  '     ><style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-kqsk4nv2-983894f52447031ab746fcbfed7310a7\">\n.avia-image-container.av-kqsk4nv2-983894f52447031ab746fcbfed7310a7 img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-kqsk4nv2-983894f52447031ab746fcbfed7310a7 .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-kqsk4nv2-983894f52447031ab746fcbfed7310a7 av-styling- avia-align-center  avia-builder-el-9  avia-builder-el-no-sibling '   itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" class='wp-image-2409 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-2409 avia_image ' src=\"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/iStock_000014443065Large-637x1030.jpg\" alt='' title='African-American couple talks in kitchen'  height=\"1030\" width=\"637\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/iStock_000014443065Large-637x1030.jpg 637w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/iStock_000014443065Large-scaled-600x970.jpg 600w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/iStock_000014443065Large-186x300.jpg 186w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/iStock_000014443065Large-768x1241.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/iStock_000014443065Large-951x1536.jpg 951w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/iStock_000014443065Large-1267x2048.jpg 1267w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/iStock_000014443065Large-928x1500.jpg 928w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/iStock_000014443065Large-436x705.jpg 436w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/iStock_000014443065Large-scaled.jpg 1584w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 637px) 100vw, 637px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-589qrm-3dc7474c3e14ddde19ca9901c6bf8a12\">\n.flex_column.av-589qrm-3dc7474c3e14ddde19ca9901c6bf8a12{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-589qrm-3dc7474c3e14ddde19ca9901c6bf8a12 av_two_third  avia-builder-el-10  el_after_av_one_third  avia-builder-el-last  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  '     ><section  class='av_textblock_section av-kqsk30iw-95442a714345c7759b14e7c0e9219b93 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychiatry.org\/\">American Psychiatric Association<\/a>, only one in three Black adults who need mental health care receive it. A portion of the problem also comes from the socioeconomic disparities people of color face, resulting in no forms of health insurance to cover their mental health struggles. Plus, there is an historical mistrust between Black people and non-Black therapists who are predominant in the field of therapy. A Black person working with a white therapist presents a whole other set of anxieties and fears. Fear that their therapist will not fully understand the black cultural or racial experiences. Fear that the therapist will further downplay or disregard these experiences as non-existent or inconsequential.<\/p>\n<p>These issues, plus any negative experiences from family and friends who have sought therapy, hardens the stigma that \u201ctherapy doesn\u2019t work\u201d or that \u201ctherapy is for white people.\u201d As a result, the negative view of therapy is reinforced, and many Black people simply turn to family, friends, or religious leaders for outside support. Of course, relying on our immediate circle can be a good thing for many things in life. But looking for therapy from someone seen as a safe choice does not always get the needed outcomes for someone who is struggling. Our immediate circle simply may not have the skill set to shift a mindset appropriately.<\/p>\n<p>Though this last year has been anything but enjoyable, there has been a much-needed upside in the field of Black Mental Health. Black people are investing more in their own mental well-being. In a May, 2021 New York Times <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2021\/05\/09\/us\/trauma-therapy-black-community.html\">article<\/a>, clinical and forensic psychologist Douglas E. Lewis said &#8220;he was seeing more Black people willing to seek therapy now than in the past\u201d. And it stands to reason why. We have been inundated with videos and photos of police killings in our communities, we have witnessed much social and political unrest, and we have been uniquely affected by a pandemic mixed with historical and familial traumas. Per Lewis, these \u201cshared traumas\u201d have resulted in \u201cincreased anxiety and nervousness\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- close content main div --><\/div><\/div><div id='av_section_4'  class='avia-section main_color avia-section-default avia-no-border-styling  avia-bg-style-scroll  avia-builder-el-12  el_after_av_section  avia-builder-el-last  inner-img-col  container_wrap fullsize' style=' '  ><div class='container' ><div class='template-page content  av-content-full alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-2402'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-4expsi-6afa908c84017c97c3e94d92e74cde78\">\n.flex_column.av-4expsi-6afa908c84017c97c3e94d92e74cde78{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-4expsi-6afa908c84017c97c3e94d92e74cde78 av_two_third  avia-builder-el-13  el_before_av_one_third  avia-builder-el-first  first flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  '     ><section  class='av_textblock_section av-kqsk30iw-95442a714345c7759b14e7c0e9219b93 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>No matter the reason, we are heading in the right direction for our mental and emotional health.<\/p>\n<p>Now more than ever, Black people are finding community through social media. Many once overlooked initiatives are currently at the forefront. And there are several available resources that focus specifically on people of color. <a href=\"https:\/\/therapyforblackgirls.com\/about\/\">Therapy For Black Girls<\/a>, an online movement that connects primarily black women to licensed Black mental health professionals, is one. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.beam.community\/\">B.E.A.M., Black Emotional, and Mental Health Collective<\/a>, offers a hub of advocates, teachers, artists, lawyers, and therapists. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/us\/therapists\/african-american\">Psychology Today<\/a> also provides their own set of Black and African American Therapists. And though there is still a shortage, it is much easier to find Black mental health professionals who are working tirelessly to dismantle the negative stigma of being Black and seeking help.<\/p>\n<p>Therapy isn&#8217;t just for a crisis, it&#8217;s for life. It is critical to keep in tune with your mental health just as you would with your physical health. A check-in with your mental health even when everything is seemingly fine is not only okay, but a good thing for anyone to do. Make it a priority and value yourself with enough kindness, grace, and respect to put yourself first. The rewards will be great.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s impossible to pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself before you attempt to care for others. I know we live in a world where everyone we encounter requires a different version of ourselves, but each of us must take time to rejuvenate, recharge and reflect. In my training, I always stress to \u201cput your oxygen mask on first\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>So, as we celebrate Black Mental Health Month, we also celebrate the increase in people of color recognizing their traumas and seeking help to address those traumas. We celebrate how far we have come. We celebrate our resilience, but we also celebrate our future that can be healthier and better for generations to come.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-37yfmq-a28c930051bf30a6f9a96f6c0be978f6\">\n.flex_column.av-37yfmq-a28c930051bf30a6f9a96f6c0be978f6{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-37yfmq-a28c930051bf30a6f9a96f6c0be978f6 av_one_third  avia-builder-el-15  el_after_av_two_third  avia-builder-el-last  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  '     ><p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-kqsk4nv2-34c807fc4d1aab8e7ecc26040bb883e2\">\n.avia-image-container.av-kqsk4nv2-34c807fc4d1aab8e7ecc26040bb883e2 img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-kqsk4nv2-34c807fc4d1aab8e7ecc26040bb883e2 .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  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https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/AdobeStock_77641468-scaled-600x400.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/AdobeStock_77641468-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/AdobeStock_77641468-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/AdobeStock_77641468-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/AdobeStock_77641468-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/AdobeStock_77641468-1500x1000.jpeg 1500w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/AdobeStock_77641468-705x470.jpeg 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Guest Blogger: Chantel Kufeji, LMSW, Chris 180 Training Specialist\/Internal ARC Trainer and Consultant<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":50,"featured_media":2408,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2402","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>An Upside to 2020 - Defining US<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/an-upside-to-2020\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" 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