This weekend, we come together to acknowledge and observe Juneteenth, a holiday that commemorates the announcement of the end of slavery in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865.
While the Black community has celebrated Juneteenth since the late 1800s, it has gained broader attention amongst the general American public, becoming a federal holiday in 2021. This recognition signifies the end of a dark chapter in American history and the ongoing struggle for equality in the Black community.
Juneteenth holds deep significance as a symbol of freedom and justice for Black Americans. It is an opportune moment for us to pause and reflect on the importance of eradicating structural racism and promoting mental health equity for the Black community and other underserved communities of color. Addressing these issues can create a more free, inclusive, and equitable society for all.
Even today, Black Americans face unique challenges and pressures that go beyond those experienced by their fellow citizens. Rates of depression among Black and Latinx children were about 14% less likely than White youth to receive treatment for their depression. (1) In 2020, suicide was the third leading cause of death, for blacks or African Americans ages 15 to 24. (2)
Tragically, when Black individuals seek help, they often encounter disparities in healthcare. One study found that physicians engaged in less patient-centered communication with Black patients than White patients, contribute to potential under-diagnosis or misdiagnosis of mental illnesses. (3) Factors such as cultural differences, language barriers, the stigma of mental illness within the Black community, and cultural variations in symptom presentation further compound the challenges faced by Black individuals seeking support.
To support the mental health of Black communities, we must strive to become more knowledgeable about our nation’s history and engage in our shared culture. Juneteenth provides an opportunity to acknowledge the Black experience in America. Seek out literature, art, music, media, and social events that offer insights into this experience. Embrace films, books, workshops, and educational opportunities that expand and challenge your understanding of race in America. It is essential to remember that promoting Black mental health requires amplifying and supporting, rather than dominating or appropriating, Black voices and experiences.
Juneteenth is not solely a Black American holiday; it is an American holiday that calls for unity, respect, and learning. Let us celebrate our progress as a nation while recognizing that our journey toward equality is far from complete. At Vita Health, we deeply honor and appreciate the Black experience in America, and we extend our warmest to promoting equity, inclusion, and justice for all.
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Interested in joining our team and making a difference in adolescent mental health?
Are you a licensed therapist passionate about working with the adolescent and child population? Are you dedicated to making a positive impact on underserved communities? Look no further – Vita Health is the place for you!
At Vita Health, we strive to dismantle racism and oppression by transforming adolescent mental health and revolutionizing how we serve as child and adolescent mental health providers. We believe in creating an inclusive and diverse integrated telehealth workforce that truly reflects the communities we serve.
As part of our team, you’ll have the opportunity to uplift the voices of our youth and families, advance our field through advocacy, treatment, research, and partnership, and contribute to the journey toward mental health equity. We prioritize providing culturally based practices and ensuring that our services are tailored to meet the unique needs of BIPOC clients.
Join us in promoting mental health equity all year long, not just on Juneteenth. Take this chance to be part of a team of clinicians, researchers, and professionals dedicated to making structural changes to mental health care. Together, we can build a brighter future for underserved populations and make a lasting impact on the lives of young individuals.
If you’re ready to be part of this transformative movement, we invite you to join our Vita Health team as a licensed therapist. Let’s create a world where every adolescent has access to the mental health support they deserve. Apply today and embark on a rewarding journey with us!
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Works cited
1 CDC. National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS). [Accessed 11/21/2022]. http://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars/index.html
2 Addressing the Youth Mental Health Crisis: The urgent need for more education, services, and supports. Mental Health America. (n.d.). Retrieved February 4, 2022, from https://mhanational.org/addressing-youth-mental-health-crisis-urgent-need-more-education-services-and-supports
3 DelVecchio Good, M. J., James, C., Good, B. J., & Becker, A. E. (2005). The culture of medicine and racial, ethnic, and class disparities in healthcare. The Blackwell companion to social inequalities, 396-423. https://www.proquest.com/openview/73b479acf4490cc3a23a5c102e7fceb1/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750