Counselors are proud to see that conversations about mental health are taking priority in many spaces over the last few years. People are more open to learning about mental health concerns and treatment options. However, mental health in the Black community continues to carry a stigma, and some community members wish to manage their mental health on their own. Additionally, not enough counselors have had formal training in helping people, specifically Black women, heal from a culturally knowledgeable perspective.
To help educate counselors about competently assisting Black women, Chair of the Counseling Department at The Family Institute at Northwestern University, Dr. Donna Baptiste, and co-author Adia Gooden, wrote Promoting Black Women’s Mental Health: What Practitioners Should Know and Do. The book, published by Cambridge University Press,
“… celebrates the strengths and complexities of Black women in American life. Many misunderstand and mischaracterize Black women and underappreciate their important contributions to families, communities, and the nation. In this book, a team of Black women mental health practitioners and scholars discuss a range of conditions that impact Black women’s self-concepts and mental health. Drawing on a study of Black women across the United States, authors explore the social determinants of Black women’s mental health and wellness and Black women’s girlhood experiences. The book also explores Black women’s stereotypes, their traumas, how they shift in relationships, and images that affect their racial and gender identity development. The book draws on scholarly and popular sources to present Black women’s strengths and challenges. Authors include commentary, case examples, reflection questions, and resources to improve practitioners’ capacities to help Black women clients to recover, heal, and thrive.”
The book is currently in pre-sales and will be released to the general public and within the Northwestern Library at the end of April. In the meantime, you can learn from Dr. Donna Baptiste by viewing her popular Grand Rounds presentation, “The Strong Black Woman:” Affirmation or Affliction? Findings from Research and Clinical Practice.
