_______________________________________________ Racial Trauma: The African American Experience
engage in lifelong learning, and contribute to the growth of society and community health. Culturally respectful encounters with patients from a variety of cultures contribute to the clinician’s personal and professional development. In codes of ethics and ethical literature, there has been a move away from the term “cultural competence” and toward “cultural awareness,” a change that acknowledges the fact that improving one’s knowledge and appreciation of diverse cultures is an ongoing process. A vital aspect of this process is openness to new information and change. All clinicians should allocate time for self-reflection and analysis of their own cultural beliefs, experiences, and biases. After every encounter, reflect on whether the client’s needs were paramount and remain the focus of ongoing treatment; ethical responsibility necessitates that the patient’s interests be the utmost goal. Treatment approaches and diagnoses should evolve along with the client. Trauma-informed care adapts to the principles of ethical practice established in the mental health fields [3]. Every decision and approach should be made with consideration of the professions’ codes of ethics and ultimate purposes. ADVOCACY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE Racism occurs at interpersonal, environmental, institutional, and cultural levels, and eradicating racism and racial trauma necessitates interventions on every level (e.g., individuals, families, communities, and the entire nation). This should include advocacy and implementation of policy changes that eradicate structural racism in communities. As Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm said, “Racism is so universal in this country, so widespread and deep-seated, that it is invisible because it is so normal” [50]. National issues such as mass incarceration, employment disparities, and the achievement gap should be addressed in order to reduce structural racism, alleviate some racial trauma experienced by African Americans, and improve socioeconomic position and related helplessness. One example of a macro-level intervention to address systemic racism is taking steps to improve the education system to better reflect African Americans’ lives, culture, history, and experiences, with particular attention to the punitive approach to educating African American boys.
CONCLUSION Acknowledgment of the historical context of racism and its current implications is a vital aspect of providing care to a diverse population. Mental health practitioners, medical providers, researchers, community leaders, advocates, activists, and laypersons should work to prevent and effectively treat the psychological and physical distress experienced as a result of the racism faced by African American clients. Although continuously encountering racism and intersectional trauma, African Americans have often adopted positive adaptations, and it is important to recognize the inherent empowerment that can result with survival of chronic race- related trauma. Cultural awareness, responsiveness, and sensitivity improve relationships with clients and allow for provision of the best quality care. This includes the implementation of race-informed therapeutic practices and techniques that promote resilience and intraindividual and interpersonal healing and wholeness of minorities. A trauma- informed approach to treatment recognizes that healthcare systems and providers should have a comprehensive picture of a patient’s previous and current life situation in order to offer successful and healing treatment. Implementing trauma- informed practices may increase patient commitment and treatment compliance, improve health outcomes, and enhance provider and staff well-being.
WORKS CITED https://qr2.mobi/racial-trauma
69
EliteLearning.com/Psychology
Powered by FlippingBook