#Intergenerational trauma activism professional#

If you are in crisis, please do not use this site.Click here to see ways to participate in the Landback movement. May we as a community consider our roles in the liberation, and restoration of Land, language, and culture for Indigenous Peoples on Turtle Island and globally.Ĭlick here to see Native Governance Center's Beyond Land Acknowledgment Guide. We invite the mental health community to decolonize our ways of being and to dismantle colonial systems (our field included). As an organization, we advocate for Land Back and Indigenous Sovereignty. We pay respect to the Elders, past, present, and future.įor settlers on our team, we acknowledge we occupy and participate in exploitation of Land that are not native to us. We thank the Indigenous Peoples for stewarding these Lands for generations. We are located on various stolen Lands that are sacred to a number of Indigenous Peoples, including but not limited to Tribes, Nations, and Peoples such as: Multnomah, Wasco, Cowlitz, Kathlamet, Clackamas, Jumanos, Tonkawa, Coahuiltecan, Comanche, Coast Salish, Stillaguamish, and Duwamish.She is sitting on the arm of a chair in front of a tea station. Veggies.' a Therapy,' and light blue jeans. She is wearing a black shirt that says, 'Coconut Water. Image description: black woman in her mid-30s with brown skin, long brown locs, and bright yellow glasses. Together, we can embrace the power of healing and rewrite the narrative of BIPOC communities. By fostering understanding, compassion, and community support, we can heal intergenerational trauma and foster resilience, strength, and hope for future generations. In our shared journey toward healing, acknowledging the historical roots of these maladaptive behaviors is paramount. Mental health professionals play a crucial role in supporting black, brown, and indigenous communities with healing the past to shape a resilient future. Acknowledging this cycle and engaging in culturally sensitive therapy can disrupt this intergenerational transmission, paving the way for healing. Patterns of coping learned from previous generations might not always be conducive to positive mental health and well-being. Intergenerational Transmission of Trauma - Unresolved historical trauma can be transmitted across generations, leading to maladaptive behaviors being passed down within families.

Creating safe spaces, fostering community, and encouraging vulnerability can gradually dissolve these barriers. This avoidance can translate into family secrets, isolation, and hiding feelings/emotions, hindering the healing process.

Avoidance and Social Isolation - Trauma can lead to a fear of revisiting painful memories or situations.

Challenging these beliefs and promoting self-affirmation are vital steps toward healing.

#Intergenerational trauma activism professional#

These feelings can result in self-sabotaging behaviors and difficulties in pursuing opportunities for personal and professional growth. Internalized Racism - Systemic racism has caused some individuals within BIPOC communities to internalize negative stereotypes, leading to low self-esteem, self-doubt, and a diminished sense of self-worth.Compassionate intervention, therapy, and community support are essential in breaking this cycle. Although these behaviors provide temporary relief, they often lead to long-term health issues and perpetuate maladaptive behavior patterns. Self-Medication - Individuals from BIPOC communities may turn to substance abuse and/or self-harming behaviors as a way to cope with emotional pain caused by historical trauma.Understanding this behavior requires empathy and dismantling the roots of systemic mistrust. Hyper-Vigilance and Mistrust - Centuries of oppression have created mistrust towards authority, institutions, and medical providers, making it challenging to form relationships and engage with support systems.Some of the maladaptive behaviors that I have observed emerge as coping mechanisms in the face of intergenerational trauma are:

These coping mechanisms are used to navigate the challenges arising from these traumatic events.

The enduring impact of colonization, slavery, forced displacement, and systemic racism-oppression has led to the development of maladaptive behaviors as coping mechanisms. Such wounds and events undeniably shaped the behavioral patterns within our communities. It is essential to understand the impact of historical wounds and intergenerational trauma and how they influenced the use of maladaptive behaviors. I needed to create a private practice that was a safe space for BIPOC communities to have these conversations. As a black woman and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, my work goes beyond therapy.