Mental Health Awareness from a Young Age

Let Us Remember That We Are In the Holy Presence of A Loving God.

Black History Month has been celebrated annually since 1926. Each Year, Black History Month has a theme. The theme for 2022 focuses on the importance of Black Health and Wellness. This theme acknowledges the legacy of not only Black scholars and medical practitioners in Western medicine, but also other ways of knowing birth workers, midwives, naturopaths, herbalists, throughout the African Diaspora.  The Black Community has suffered from a long history of health care disparities. In the Black community, mental health issues are often compounded by the psychological stress of systemic racism. As a result, African American adults are 20 percent more likely to report serious psychological distress than other races. Beautiful People: Black History Month Tribute Ride 405 – …it's all about Studio Cycling!At the same time, there is a stigma on mental health awareness. Seeking mental health care is often viewed as a weakness, running counter to the survivalist mentality born from systemic oppression and chronic racism. “Much of the pushback against seeking treatment stems from ideas along the lines of, Black people have survived so much adversity and now someone is going to say that there’s something wrong with us. Hopefully, this year’s theme can help us raise awareness surrounding mental health from a young age, we can break stigmas and shape this generation to approach mental health in a new, positive way.

Gracious and loving God,

We thank you for being our companion as we journey.

through a world where there is a great deal of indifference.

We thank you for welcoming us just as we are.

We pray that you will transform us and make us the people you want us to be.

We lift up and thank you for our Black brothers and sisters who have shaped history.

We thank you for the opportunity to learn and reflect particularly at this time, here and now.

We pray that the learning happening in schools, homes, and workplaces will be meaningful and deep-rooted.

We pray for open hearts and minds,

And spirits willing to learn and be transformed by you.

May this month be a time of curiosity and sharing,

Conversations and celebrations,

Challenge and encouragement.

Heavenly Father, help us to dig deeper,

Look closer, and think bigger.

 

St. John Baptist de la Salle – Pray for us

Live Jesus in Our Hearts – Forever

Alan Murray ’23 LSA – presenter

Padre “Pio” P Shabani ’22 LSA – writer

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