Racism as a mental health challenge: An antiracist counselling perspective.

Abstract

This article explores racism as a mental health issue. Given the historical and contemporary impact of racism on the well-being of both Black, Indigenous, and people of colour (BIPoC) and White people, it is important for counsellors to address important issues associated with this phenomenon in their clinical work with clients. First, the historical roots of racist ideas in the United States and how they have been broadly expressed in psychological thought are explored. Second, racism is examined from a trauma perspective with its impact on the mental health of both BIPoC and Whites. Third, antiracist perspectives on mental health counselling for Whites and BIPoC will be discussed. Fourth, antiracist counselling direction for BIPoC and Whites will be presented. Public Significance StatementGiven the historical and contemporary impact of racism on the mental health of both people of colour and White people, it is important for counsellors to address important issues associated with this phenomenon. This article presents counselling direction for helping people of colour and Whites process the trauma associated with racism and racist acts.

Building a socially and culturally responsive psychology / engendrer une psychologie plus réceptive sur le plan social et culturel.

“…Cette édition spéciale débute avec six articles consacrés à l’importance de la représentation en psychologie. Lee and Boykins (2022) partagent leurs perspectives sur le racisme en tant que défi à la santé mentale et proposent une approche de psychologie du counselling antiraciste. Les auteurs tracent les racines historiques des idées racistes aux États-Unis, explorent le racisme depuis la perspective du traumatisme, et présentent des points de vue antiracistes au sujet de la santé mentale ainsi que des paradigmes pour la psychologie du counselling.…”

“…This special issue begins with six articles that focus on the importance of representation in psychology. Lee and Boykins (2022) share their perspectives on racism as a mental health challenge and propose an antiracist approach to counselling psychology. The authors trace the historical roots of racist ideas in the United States, explore racism from a trauma perspective, and present antiracist perspectives on mental health as well as paradigms for counselling psychology.…”