I have personally experienced the negative effects of dealing with numerous layers of problems on my mental health as a Black British homosexual psychotherapist. I now understand how discrimination and unfair treatment may actually affect how we feel because I am a member of several underrepresented groups. But guess what? I've also witnessed firsthand how wonderful it is when we welcome many cultures and encourage inclusivity. It's like creating a really accepting and equitable world!

Let's discuss how things are improving. More people are becoming aware of the unique difficulties that people from various backgrounds encounter. There's still a lot to accomplish, but we're moving along. To help everyone feel better, we need to train therapists on how to better comprehend these difficulties. Additionally, we must advocate for new laws that guarantee that everyone is treated equitably in settings like schools, workplaces, and places of residence, regardless of who they are.

But not only professionals have the power to change things. We each have stuff we can do! We might begin by considering how we view the world. We all have minor notions that may not be entirely correct. We can alter that by being more accepting of everyone, regardless of their background. Furthermore, it's awesome to speak out for others who may not have it easy. We can all support one another as friends!

Exactly what makes sense? There are several issues associated with marginalization. It resembles a puzzle with many components that all fit together. This is known as intersectionality, and it enables us to see why some people could experience additional difficulties. Consider a person who is both Black and LGBT; they may experience difficulties as a result of both. Intersectionality enables us to understand how these many factors combine.

We must be "culturally conscious" in order to solve the riddle. That's just a fancy way of expressing that we ought to be aware of other cultures and practice positive stereotype avoidance. Like learning a new language, the more we understand one another, the better we can communicate with one another. When therapists are sensitive to cultural differences, they can rehabilitate victims of injustice by making them feel strong and protected.

This is true not just for mental health services but also in workplaces, schools, and other places! Everyone benefits when we appreciate what someone has gone through and recognize the puzzle pieces of their life. And what's this? Things are improving! People are listening now that they realize we all have unique tales to tell. People are sharing their experiences and assisting one another even online.

But keep in mind that there is still work to be done. More training is required for therapists, and equitable regulations are also required. For instance, ensuring that those who have been mistreated or who are underprivileged receive the assistance they require. Recall the Windrush controversy? The UK government made a mistake, but they are attempting to right the wrong by compensating the victims. That's a significant step in the right direction.

In conclusion, being friends with everyone and taking an interest in their stories has a significant impact. Although we are headed in the right direction, we must continue. Let's keep growing as people, helping one another, and improving the planet for everybody. We are capable of making it happen!

References:

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7. Perez, M., Luquis, R. R., Andrade, E. L., Martinez, O. N., & Casas, R. N. (2019). Intersectionality as a framework for understanding Latina health disparities. Health Education & Behavior, 46(5), 777–785.
8. Bauer, G. R., Scheim, A. I., & Pyne, J. (2015). Traversing the margins: intersectionalities in the bullying of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth. Culture, health & sexuality, 17(10), 1239–1254.
9. Helms, J. E. (2016). An update of Helms’s White and people of color racial identity models. In Handbook of multicultural counseling (pp. 181–198). Sage Publications.
10. Smith, W. A., Allen, W. R., & Danley, L. L. (2007). “Assume the position… you fit the description”: Psychosocial experiences and racial battle fatigue among African American male college students. American Behavioral Scientist, 51(4), 551–578.

References: Crenshaw, K. (1989). Demarginalizing the intersection of race and sex: A black feminist critique of antidiscrimination doctrine, feminist theory, and antiracist politics. University of Chicago Legal Forum, 1989(1), 139–167. Kim, M. A., & Williams, D. R. (2019). Intersectionality and mental health: Moving beyond the social determinants framework. In S. O. Okpaku (Ed.), Mental Health of Refugee and Conflict-Affected Populations (pp. 57