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Information for Students of Color
For many ethnically and racially diverse individuals, therapy has a negative stigma. We rarely grow up aware of family members or friends who sought counseling unless they were mandated to go by an employer or the court system. Most often, we might feel that therapy is for "crazy" or "rich" people and that we should be able to handle our own problems within our families and/or our communities. The information on this page is intended to address some of the misperceptions students of color often have of the counseling experience as well as some common mental health concerns that students of color experience and for which they can seek support services. At Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) we have a strong commitment to culturally competent and relevant care, so that our therapists are trained to work with ethnically diverse individuals around a variety of issues that may intersect with issues of marginalization, racism, and ethnic/racial identity.
How We Are Affected by the "Isms"
- Repetitive exposure to being devalued or seeing others devalued based on race, ethnic identity, class, or culture can lead to lower self-esteem and lower self-efficacy.
- Even with a strong ethnic identity and a positive support system in place, negative experiences related to ethnic membership can result in feelings of depression, worthlessness, isolation, internalized hatred, and shame.
- African Americans, American Indians and Alaska Natives, Asian Americans, Hispanics or Latinos, and Other Pacific Islanders, are at high risk for both mental and physical health concerns and are likely to have higher incidents of death as a result due to lack of or inadequate health care.
- Since 1980, suicide rates have doubled among young African American males in America.
- African Americans are more likely to experience mental health concerns, but less likely to seek treatment for them.
- Hispanics/Latinos are more likely to experience more anxiety-related and delinquency problem behaviors, depression, and drug use.
- Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders are less likely to seek mental health care and more often do not to receive a diagnosis of having a mental health concern, even if there is one.
- American Indians/Alaskan Natives tend to use substances more frequently to cope with mental health concerns (e.g. depression) and the negative effects of racism.
How Mental Health Concerns May be Experienced/Expressed
- Physically: headaches, backaches, grinding teeth, hair loss, overeating/weight gain, under eating/weight loss, energy loss, irritability, poor concentration/attention, sleep disturbances, heart palpitations, anger, tearfulness, fear, and trembling/shakiness
- Engaging in Risky Behaviors: unprotected sexual intercourse, multiple partners, substance use (particularly marijuana), criminal activity (e.g. shop lifting, theft, vandalism, assault/violence), and speeding/reckless driving
- Isolation: distancing self from peers, more of a desire to spend time alone, avoiding places where interactions are likely to occur, spending more time on the internet or playing video games alone, refusing to answer the phone or return calls/texts/e-mails
Dispelling the Myths
- Myth: There are no ethnically diverse therapists who work at CAPS.
Truth: There are ethnically diverse mental health clinicians available at CAPS, though ethnic matching does not guarantee a good therapeutic experience. What has been found to be most helpful, regardless of race/ethnic similarities, is a good working relationship with a therapist based on respect, honesty, and genuineness.
- Myth: Therapy is no different than talking to my friends. It is not helpful.
Truth: There is no "magic" fix to mental health concerns. Therapy is an ACTIVE process that involves a willingness to engage in self-exploration, identification of concerns or dysfunctional patterns, and practicing healthy coping behaviors. If a person is not invested in the process, then change is less likely to occur. Also, change is a continual process, and we help facilitate that process.
- Myth: Only "crazy" people come to CAPS.
The word "crazy" is just another mechanism for marginalization. This is not an acceptable term to describe anyone's mental health concerns. CAPS sees individuals with a variety of concerns including, but not limited to, homesickness, anxiety, depression, shyness, anger, substance abuse, eating disorders, ADHD, and familial/relationship concerns. Our goal is to provide the best care possible.
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