‘We have so much trauma in our history’: The need for diversity in mental health services – KETV Omaha

In the midst of Omaha's predominantly Black community, sits the Center for Holistic Development. Inside the mental health care service you'll find Doris Moore, founder and certified professional counselor. Doris said opening her doors specifically in North Omaha was intentional. "I recognized that there were behavioral health services being provided but none that really addressed the needs of the African-American community," said Moore.Moore has offered mental healing for nearly 20 years, her nonprofit organization serves everyone, but especially her nearby neighbors who are mainly people of color. "As an African-American, we have so much trauma in our history," said Moore. "We have racism that is a trauma within itself that has gone so unrecognized by everybody for the most part."With painful images of police brutality flooding social media, protests erupting across the nation and people of color facing COVID-19 at a disproportionate rate; some would think the Black community would be seeking out mental health resources, but the numbers show they are not. According to the American Psychological Association, only 1 in 3 African-Americans who need mental healthcare will actually receive it. The most recent numbers show that of more than 32,000 Nebraskans seeking community based services, just 8% were Black and 72% were white. One reason behind the lack of Black people seeking out mental health services could relate to the minuscule of Black people in the mental health workforce.According to the American Psychological Association, Black people make up 4% of the US psychological workforce. This lack of diversity leads many individuals in the Black community turning to church for assistance. Donna Stewart, a licensed psychological for Boystown Behavior Health is included in the 4%. "Pastors are called to preach," said Stewart. "I feel like being a psychologist was actually on a calling on my life from God."Stewart works in Boystown's South and North Omaha offices, mainly serving the Black and brown communities in each neighborhood. The psychologist says her goal is to destroy the stigma of therapy and relate to her clients.When asked what is the "stigma" associated with therapy, Stewart responded saying, "There's the stigma of, lack of a better word, appearing as if you're 'crazy'," said Stewart. "A stigma as if there's something seriously wrong with you."Both Stewart and Moore say representation in mental services is imperative, and it reminds clients that their counselor can relate to them and opens the door for healing."I can move much faster in a therapeutic situation, knowing that, that person working with me has some level of understanding of what background I come from, and what my environment is like," said Moore. "I have people that say if they had known therapy was this easy from the standpoint of engaging, then they would've come a long time ago."

In the midst of Omaha's predominantly Black community, sits the Center for Holistic Development. Inside the mental health care service you'll find Doris Moore, founder and certified professional counselor. Doris said opening her doors specifically in North Omaha was intentional.

"I recognized that there were behavioral health services being provided but none that really addressed the needs of the African-American community," said Moore.

Moore has offered mental healing for nearly 20 years, her nonprofit organization serves everyone, but especially her nearby neighbors who are mainly people of color.

"As an African-American, we have so much trauma in our history," said Moore. "We have racism that is a trauma within itself that has gone so unrecognized by everybody for the most part."

With painful images of police brutality flooding social media, protests erupting across the nation and people of color facing COVID-19 at a disproportionate rate; some would think the Black community would be seeking out mental health resources, but the numbers show they are not.

According to the American Psychological Association, only 1 in 3 African-Americans who need mental healthcare will actually receive it. The most recent numbers show that of more than 32,000 Nebraskans seeking community based services, just 8% were Black and 72% were white.

One reason behind the lack of Black people seeking out mental health services could relate to the minuscule of Black people in the mental health workforce.

According to the American Psychological Association, Black people make up 4% of the US psychological workforce.

This lack of diversity leads many individuals in the Black community turning to church for assistance. Donna Stewart, a licensed psychological for Boystown Behavior Health is included in the 4%.

"Pastors are called to preach," said Stewart. "I feel like being a psychologist was actually on a calling on my life from God."

Stewart works in Boystown's South and North Omaha offices, mainly serving the Black and brown communities in each neighborhood. The psychologist says her goal is to destroy the stigma of therapy and relate to her clients.

When asked what is the "stigma" associated with therapy, Stewart responded saying, "There's the stigma of, lack of a better word, appearing as if you're 'crazy'," said Stewart. "A stigma as if there's something seriously wrong with you."

Both Stewart and Moore say representation in mental services is imperative, and it reminds clients that their counselor can relate to them and opens the door for healing.

"I can move much faster in a therapeutic situation, knowing that, that person working with me has some level of understanding of what background I come from, and what my environment is like," said Moore. "I have people that say if they had known therapy was this easy from the standpoint of engaging, then they would've come a long time ago."

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'We have so much trauma in our history': The need for diversity in mental health services - KETV Omaha