Racial Equity Archives - Page 3 of 4 - Healthy Minds Philly®

The Search for Culturally Competent Care

Fans of the award-winning TV series ‘This is Us’ may remember the episode where Randall decides to switch therapists. The character—a successful commodities trader turned Philadelphia City Councilman—is African American, was raised by a white family, and struggles with anxiety and PTSD. He admits that he isn’t comfortable sharing many of his feelings with his current therapist. His new doctor is “cool, smart, funny, Black, young father... we got a lot in common,” Randall explains. Does your therapist ‘get’ you? The answer to this question is a key factor in [...]

Janine Monico2022-07-05T13:10:15-04:00July 1st, 2022|Mental Health, Racial Equity|

For Black Women Who Say They’re OK When They’re Not

How are you feeling? As leaders in our communities, workplaces, families, and homes, Black women are often carrying a physical and emotional load for themselves and those around them. Earlier this year we got a sobering reminder of the invisible baggage we carry when we learned about the death of Cheslie Kryst, former Miss USA and entertainment news correspondent at Extra. From the outside, the 30-year-old appeared to have it all. With a pageant crown, multiple degrees, talent, and charisma, she exuded what some would describe as “Black Girl Magic.” [...]

Janine Monico2022-06-15T13:43:05-04:00July 1st, 2022|Mental Health, Racial Equity|

General Order No. 3 or…what/who is holding us back???

I remember my first therapy session like it was yesterday. It was a beautiful, sunny day. I was rushing over to the office after work, racing past people on Market Street like I was in the final lap at the Penn Relays. My mind was running its own race, perhaps swifter than my feet. Jesse Owens on the ground, Usain Bolt between the ears. How would this person be? Would they relate to me? Would I allow myself to be vulnerable? For some reason, the warm smile of the security [...]

Janine Monico2022-06-06T13:53:25-04:00June 13th, 2022|Community, Racial Equity|

Why Mental Health is So Important to People of Color

As a Black man, I am continuously aware of some of the stigmas surrounding mental health from both a gender- and race-related perspective. More often than not, people of color feel that these services may make them look weak or that they are broken. However, taking proactive approaches – whether it be simple wellness practices such as yoga or meditation or more substantive ones such as structured therapy – could not show more strength. As a licensed clinician myself, as well as someone reared by a parent with clinical [...]

Janine Monico2022-02-10T10:38:52-05:00February 10th, 2022|Lived Experience, Mental Health, Racial Equity|