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Empowering Black Women Social Workers

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Whitney Coleman, mental health, women


March is National Social Worker Month, a time to acknowledge social employees’ tireless efforts and invaluable contributions across the country.

This 12 months’s theme, “Empowering Social Workers,” resonates deeply with professionals like Whitney Coleman, LICSW, LCSW-C, who tirelessly advocate for higher recognition, compensation and support. As owner of Jade Clinical Services and Breaking Boundaries Therapist Academy based in Washington, DC, Coleman is on the forefront of empowering patients, social employees, and particularly Black women.

In 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics recorded greater than 715,000 social employees within the United States. By 2030, this number is anticipated to extend by 12% to 782,00 social employees, making social work one in every of the fastest growing professions within the country.

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After earning a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford and a minor in psychology and international studies, Coleman earned a master’s degree in social work from the University of South Carolina. He is licensed in 4 states and the District of Columbia. Coleman has successfully navigated the complex issues that many social employees face regarding compensation, increased skilled respect, and recognition.

Coleman shared her experiences with BLACK ENTERPRISES, providing insight into the challenges, opportunities and advantages of being a social employee.

The invisible backbone of society

Social employees are ubiquitous throughout society, but their work often goes unnoticed and undervalued. Trained to assist individuals, families, communities, and even society as an entire, social employees work in schools, hospitals, and on the federal, state, and native levels in government, corporations, social service agencies, and veterans facilities.

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“There are a lot of different social workers, but no one knows what we do,” Coleman says.

Social employees are sometimes called upon in times of crisis, but should not respected or recognized for his or her crucial role. The opioid addiction crisis has hit the United States hard, impacting all races, regions and economic levels. Homelessness is growing. According to Centers for Disease Control and Preventionthe variety of suicides has increased.

Social employees can take care of these social problems. “We are the ones called in emergencies, but once the crisis is over, we are once again ignored and asked to treat others while silently struggling to heal our personal and professional battles,” Coleman says. “I want to change that.”

Dealing with life changes, anxiety and trauma

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In her practice, Coleman focuses on supporting women, especially women of color, as they face life changes, fears and trauma. “Life changes, anxiety and trauma go hand in hand,” she says. “When things change in your life, it can cause anxiety, and sometimes those changes are traumatic.”

Coleman emphasizes the importance of understanding trauma beyond traditional definitions. “Trauma is different for every person. What may be traumatic for one person may not be for another.”

Shedding light on a phenomenon deeply rooted within the Black community often called the “Black Superwoman Syndrome,” Coleman describes the concept as “reflecting expectations for Black women to embody strength, resilience and independence, often at the expense of their well-being.” existence.”

The pressure to take care of others while neglecting personal needs is a significant aspect of this syndrome, resulting in exhaustion and emotional tension.

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“This syndrome forces black women to have it all together, to appear strong and composed even in the face of internal struggles and challenges,” Coleman says. “As social workers and therapists, we know how harmful this can be.”

The relentless social demands and expectations of on a regular basis life often leave individuals feeling overwhelmed and unsupported. Recognizing these experiences, Coleman says, “Black women can overcome personal and professional challenges and reclaim their narratives.”

Empowering through education and support

Despite the challenges, Coleman stays committed to empowering social employees, mental health practitioners and patients. Through Therapist Academy, Breaking Boundaries provides BIPOC mental health professionals with the knowledge, tools and support to construct thriving private practices.

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“Empowerment starts with recognizing our value and calling for change,” says Coleman. “Together we can create a better future for social workers and the communities we (social workers) serve. When we do this, it will have a positive impact on everyone.”

By addressing systemic challenges and providing support and education, Coleman is paving the way in which for a more equitable and empowered future in the sphere of social work.


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This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com

Health and Wellness

A family forced to maintain a dead daughter of the brain alive because of the abortion law of Georgia: “It’s torture”

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The family of a 30-year-old mother and nurse in Atlanta is forced to keep her alive, despite the fact that she has been recognized as a dead brain for over 90 days. She was then nine weeks of pregnancy, and Georgia has a strict ban on abortion after six weeks.

At the starting of February Adrian Smith, a registered nurse at Emory University Hospital, began to experience tearing headaches. While she visited a local hospital for about nine weeks while pregnant because she knew “enough to know that something was wrong.”

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However, her mother, April Newkirk, said 11 Alive News The hospital simply gave her medicine and sent her home without performing longer tests, corresponding to CT scan.

“If they did it or stopped it overnight, they would have caught it. You could prevent it,” said Newkirk.

The next morning, Smith’s boyfriend found her air in a dream. He called 911, and Smith was taken to Emory Decatur’s hospital before she was transferred to the Hospital of the University Emory, where she worked. The results of the CT scan have returned, revealing many blood clots in her brain. The doctors were preparing to act on Smith once they got here to the conclusion that it was too late and was recognized as a dead brain.

In weeks from this memorable day, Smith kept alive by maintaining his life, on respiratory machines for over 90 days, due to the ban on abortion. Doctors hope to keep her alive until about 32 weeks of pregnancy once they think the fetus will likely be profitable outside. Smith is currently 21 weeks old.

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“It’s torture for me,” said Newkirk. “I see my daughter breathing, but she is not there.”

Grandma added how much painful it was to see her grandson, young son Smith, consider that his mother “just sleeps”.

After the Supreme Court repealed Roe against Wade in 2022, later in the same yr, Georgia introduced a ban on abortion after detecting the heartbeat of the fetus, which is generally about six weeks. From the moment of her passing, at the very least two of the first deaths related to the ban were black women: Amber Thurmanwho died after medical intervention in legal abortion, was delayed and Candi Millerwho died after she was afraid to search for care because of the ban.

There are exceptions to the law in the event of rape, incest or if the mother’s life is in peril. However, the special case of Smith lands in the gray zone of law, so her family is legally obliged to keep her alive until the fetus is profitable.

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According to Newkirk, the family was informed that there was a liquid on the fetal brain and that there may be a possibility that a child may not have the option to see, walk, and even survive once in birth.

“This decision should have been left to us. Now we are wondering what life (child will be) – and we are raising him,” she said.

In addition to emotions, Newkirk said that the family is becoming an increasing number of concerned about the costs of Smith’s care. The young mother remains to be ahead of the intensive ongoing medical care.

“They hope to bring the child to at least 32 weeks,” said Newkirk. “But every day, it’s more costs, more trauma, more questions.”

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Why the support of mental health for black and brown youth must go beyond self -care

(Tagstranslat) georgia

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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Health and Wellness

Infertility is still taboo – podcast “Return” Aerica Cobba changes it

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Erica Cobb

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Infertility affects 11% of girls all over the world, but this is still a quiet topic amongst black women. But a journalist and return. Eric Cobb TV CEO breaks silence. By sharing his own journey, he not only begins the conversation – he strengthens voices, changes the narrative and making a space wherein various stories about infertility were finally heard.

“I realized how many connections in the transparency of your history,” says Cobb. “I had such a lot of support. But the most important thing for me was that I supported others who did not have this kind of community to talk about these problems.”

When Cobb was formally diagnosed and actively began to travel to motherhood in 2021, she identified that the majority of the messages and solutions around infertility didn’t seem to incorporate the voices of girls who looked like her. She didn’t even see herself reflecting in patients performing in vitro fertilization.

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“When I started to do in vitro, I entered these clinics and nobody looked like me. Nobody could share my story. More importantly, solutions and remedies for infertility did not cover black women,” he says. “I think that what I experience speaks to a vacuum that we experienced as black women dealing with fertility problems.”

Trying to offer other women and personal couples within the face of the identical difficult situation in the neighborhood and modernity, Cobb decided to make use of the press platform, and As an area for supporting conversations, that are too often kept behind closed doors.

“When I started thinking about this conversation for the first time, I wanted it to reflect my experience, what began with [common] The fight for maternal health of black women, “he says. Cobb at the moment expressed some fears for his clinicians, but, as within the case of so many black women, they were minimized by her supplier.

“It started with a fight to go to Zagyn, which I went to for years and sound alarm, but they were not accepted or urgently reciprocated,” he shares. “I believe that usually, if you express fears and your doctor doesn’t sound alarm and makes the situation urgent, we consider it some sort of consolation. We think, oh.

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However, the case of the meeting lit not only her own journey to proceed parenthood, but in addition her passion to be certain that others, especially black women, felt may be heard while moving.

“It was on my face and it became something I couldn’t deny,” he says. “I threw a baby shower for a friend in my house, and she invited her shit, a black woman. We had something that I thought was a mere conversation in my kitchen, and she looked at me with the most serious appearance and said:” I even have to see you in my office next week, “recalls Cobb. “If I had no such exchange together with her, I do not think I used to be set as I used to be. We came upon in a number of weeks, what were the issues and that I might never cope with pregnancy. It really made me think –

Choosing the month of April, which incorporates each the Both Mother’s Health Week (April 11-17) and the National Week of Infertility (April 20-26), Cobb found the optimal time to arrange a series of conversations with friends and colleagues who also face the challenges of becoming parents .

Infertility is still taboo - podcast
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“The guests I chose to the podcast were people who shared similar experience,” he says. Starting a series with a private episode in an interview together with her husband, Anthony, Cobb laid a full journey so far – from discovering her status to in vitro, to the seek for a pregnancy carrier.

To connect the health of the Black Mother, Cobb turned to the CNN News ABBY Phillip anchor, whose own experience while pregnant and delivery led her to becoming a lawyer of reproductive justice. To add the voice of a pair of individuals of the identical sex who prosecute parenthood, sat down with the Reality Star, Colton Underwood and his husband Jordan Brown. Finally, Cobb completes his conversations with the nominee for the NACP Image Award of the nominated travel journalist, Oneik Raymond, to debate the recovery after losing pregnancy and the worldwide perspective of infertility.

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“I learned so much,” says Cobb about her experience. “Interview with Colton and Jordan [for instance] He opened his eyes very much. They discussed the anxiety they experienced by going to different clinics and worried that people are understanding or perhaps discriminating against the fact that they are lgbtqia, and I realized that as a black woman I experienced the same things. We can really be stronger in these conversations. “

This is a sentiment clearly made available by listeners, because Cobba’s comments and direct news have been demonstrated for the reason that premiere of the series on April 8. “It’s a bit emotional to me”, Cobb shares the pouring of non-public stories and letters with thanks from the listeners. “It’s just such a blessing.”

Air episodes every Tuesday April on all podcast and YouTube platforms.

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This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Health and Wellness

The new Orlean “Big Steppe” goes 2 million steps

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Kwame Terra, a resident of Nowy Orlean, set a record, making amazing 2 million steps inside 30 days, he informed.

Last month, Terra had a median of 66,667 steps a day, setting an unofficial world record mentioned within the International Book of Records. Known as “The Big Stepper”, he estimates that he walked 35 miles a day.

Terra isn’t any stranger to burdensome actions. He led Cross Country to the University of Xavier and is currently training in HBCU.

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The Terry company serves a bigger mission. As the founder and general director of Behr Health, he initiated this challenge to lift awareness of health differences in black communities and finance the extension of his initiatives focused on health.

His goal is to lift $ 2 million. One dollar for every step is used to support the event of the Behr Health application and other related programs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mksai —yudm

The Behr Health application is aimed toward strengthening the position of individuals by ensuring a customized health result, combining users with culturally competent healthcare providers and offering resources tailored to the particular needs of black communities.

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This initiative concerns critical problems, corresponding to lower life expectancy, higher indicators of chronic diseases and limited access to high -quality healthcare amongst black Americans.

Terra’s journey drew the eye and support of assorted organizations and folks who recognize the importance of coping with health unevenness. His commitment to this reason is an example of how personal challenges might be used to extend social changes and Improve the well -being of the community. Terra believes that the physical challenge was price trouble since it helps in personal development.

(*2*) said Terra.

For those curious about supporting Terry’s mission or discover more about Behr Health, additional information and donation options can be found on the official Gofundme.

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(Tagstranslate) City of New Orleans (T) Walking Record (T) Kwame Terra (T) Health

This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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