Today we are joined by Dr. Beth Walker-Graham, currently the Director of Psychotherapy and Behavioural Health at a large hospital network in New Jersey. Dr. Walker-Graham joins us to discuss the importance of mental health, why seeing black practitioners is essential, and the experiences of black patients.
Dr. Walker-Graham begins by discussing her own experiences as a black practitioner and as a black patient. In her life and practice, she promotes doing the work and being your own advocate in both mental and physical health. No one can fix your problems but you, practitioners just give you the right tools to do so.
Patients don’t often understand the symptoms of things like anxiety and depression, so simplify your language. Dr. Walker-Graham often starts by asking patients “what are you afraid of?”. This allows you and them to begin to understand what the cause is. Getting patients to go to therapy is always a struggle, but it’s about building a trust and understanding of how mental health contributes to physical health and vice versa. Education of patients and practitioners is key.
When it comes to seeing more black people in the healthcare industry, Dr. Walker-Graham believes we need to have more involved in the admissions and interviewing process. Othering and micro-aggression can be prevalent in some medical fields, which is obviously going to put black people off of trying to work in those areas.
When it comes to protective factors for black people, community, culture, and spirituality is hugely important to coping with trauma and stress. It boils down to tradition and trust. The narrative surrounding mental health needs to be rewritten to make it more accessible and acceptable. Allow yourself to try different modalities and find what works for you.
