Community Corner
Resources In Cincinnati For Healing Racial Trauma
Historical and on-going racism has led to the disproportionate loss of lives of people of color across America and has led to trauma.
June 15, 2020
Historical and on-going racism has led to the disproportionate loss of lives of people of color across America and has led to trauma. “Racial trauma” or “race-based trauma” is trauma related to experiencing racism over and over again.
Find out what's happening in Cincinnatifor free with the latest updates from Patch.
About Our Resource List
As with any trauma, People of Color may experience anxiety, depression, hopelessness, and hypervigilance to threat. Only recently has racial trauma been discussed in the mental health community (another example of racism), even though physical, mental, and sexual trauma has been inflicted on People of Color since the founding of the United States. Most non-People of Color do not recognize the historical ramifications of racial trauma, instead focusing on recent events that they have deemed “a tragedy”.
Find out what's happening in Cincinnatifor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"It's not even about Black or white, it's about right and wrong." said Covedale Senior Library Services Assistant Sheila Ward. "It's not just healing we're after, it's change. Remove the cancer! The atrocities towards humanity, specifically African Americans and People of Color must end!"
We want to provide and promote self-care for all those affected by trauma, especially People of Color. Because of years of racism in the health care industry and poverty, many People of Color do not reach out to receive mental health care.
Fortunately, many more People of Color are now working as psychologists, counselors, and social workers which help with engaging and gaining trust in our minority communities. To learn more about how to connect with minority mental health professionals, see this article in Psychology Today.
"Racial healing requires input and involvement from EVERYONE –Black people, other minorities and/or marginalized communities, as well as people of various vocations and with diverse spheres of influence," said Stephona Hubbard, Library Services Assistant at the Sharonville Branch Library, "Deep-seated racial injustice ingrained in America has emotionally crippled communities and our culture overall. Healing and progress must include, if not begin with, addressing the mental health of those traumatized by such atrocities within this society and those perpetuating its environment."
Below are some resources the Library has compiled for those seeking healing. We recognize that sharing these resources is one small action and do not intend in any way to suggest that this action in itself is all that is needed at this time.
Resources Developed by and for People of Color
Black Joy Booklist for Children and Young Adults (blog post by Senior Library Services Assistant Alia Jones)
5 minute reads
How to Cope with Race-Based Trauma (Teen Vogue)
Tips for Self-Care: When Police Brutality Has You Questioning Humanity and Social Media is Enough (The Root)
15 minute reads or viewings
How to Cope with Race-Related Stress and Trauma as a Person of Color (University of Arkansas) 16 minute video
Racial Trauma Toolkit (Boston College)
30 minute reads or listening
Addressing Historical Trauma (Black Boys & Men Changing the Narrative) – 31 minute podcast
Resilience and Steps Forward (Black Boys & Men Changing the Narrative) – 30 minute podcast
Self-Care Toolkit (Association of Black Psychologists)
Back To Natural, Gillian Scott Ward (Library DVD)
The Forgetting Tree, Rae Paris (Library Book)
The Racial Healing Handbook, Jane Hoyt-Oliver (Library Audiobook)
Local Contacts
Mental Health Information, Referrals, and Support Groups (NAMI of Southwest Ohio)
Racial Identity Therapists in Cincinnati (Psychology Today)
Funding and Support for Wellness and Mental Health
The Loveland Foundation (therapy fund for Black women and girls)
National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network
Ayana (Online therapy for marginalized and international communities)
General Resources on Coping with Anxiety and Stress
4 Coping Tips for Managing Your Anxiety in these Uncertain Times (Healthline)
Building Your Resilience (American Psychological Association)
How Stress Affects Your Health (American Psychological Association)
Tips to Manage Anxiety and Stress (Anxiety & Depression Association of America)
For resources relating to understanding racism and engaging in the practice of antiracism please visit this blog post.
This press release was produced by the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County. The views expressed here are the author’s own.
