Take Action with NTTAC: Cultivating Cultural Pride to Support Children’s Mental Health
April 15, 2024
Key Topics: Culturally Responsive Practices, Support for Families
Nurturing a child’s sense of pride in their culture is a response to combat institutional and internalized racism.
A news article I came across in CNN titled, “Structural Racism is Taking a Toll on Children’s Mental Health,” highlights that prolonged exposure to racism is linked to mental health challenges and can lead children to question their worth and place in society.
While the responsibility for dismantling systemic racism lies with societal institutions, parents and caregivers can provide essential support by reconnecting with family values, history, and cultural pride. By fostering a strong sense of racial and ethnic identity, children are equipped with the strength and self-esteem needed to navigate and challenge discriminatory and racist practices.
As Tania Maria Caballero, M.D., M.H.S. (Johns Hopkins Medicine, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics), puts it in the article, “we cannot burden children with the task of solving discrimination, but we can empower them to thrive despite these challenges and ultimately contribute to dismantling oppressive systems.”(CNN, 2020).
I encourage you to explore the resources available for uplifting cultural and ethnic identity. These resources are not only valuable for families but also for anyone interested in nurturing a more inclusive and equitable society.
Resources for Cultivating Cultural Pride
Reading:
Structural Racism is Taking a Toll on Children’s Mental Health
Browsing:
The American Psychological Association’s RESilience Initiative offers valuable parent resources and insights into racial and ethnic socialization.
EmbraceRace, founded by two BIPOC parents, is dedicated to guiding parents in discussing race with young children and fostering a generation that is thoughtful and informed about race.
- Resource Quick Links
Listening:
Supporting Child Mental Well Being, 2022 – Dr. Tania Maria Caballero’s insights on child mental well-being, available through Reach Out and Read of Greater New York.
What is Black? A Parenting Podcast – the episode titled Black Joy explores incorporating joy into the parenting journey and affirming children’s identity.
The Imagine Neighborhood Podcast is a wonderful resource for social-emotional learning, designed for children aged 4-10 and their families.
Applying Strategies:
Adapting Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs) for Under-Resourced Populations – this SAMHSA guide provides examples of research on adapted EBPs for mental health and substance use disorders for clients with a wide range of demographic characteristics. It provides considerations and strategies for community leaders and advocates, behavioral health practitioners, administrators, and organizational decision-makers.
As we engage with these resources and conversations, let’s remember the importance of uplifting cultural identities and promoting resilience in the face of adversity. Together, we can contribute to creating a world where every child feels proud of who they are and empowered to challenge injustice.