Growing up, most Black, Indigenous and People Of Colour (BIPOC) were told be tough, to push through the pain, to keep it moving. This may be due to protecting us from being taken advantage of or due to intergenerational and racial trauma. Vulnerability and asking for help was viewed as a sign of weakness.

According to the research Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) , Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience racism in Australia, which affects their mental health and well-being. Beyond Blue research suggest that ATSI and CALD,  access mental health services when they are severely distressed or in a crisis.

Black Indigenous and People of Colour are resilient; we are taught to be resilient, but we also need to take care of ourselves and be aware of when we are pouring from an empty cup.

When we talk about healing and wellness, you may may ask yourself, ‘how do I know it’s time to heal or focus on my well-being?‘ This may not always be easy for most BIPOC because of the stigma in our community regarding mental health and well-being. Here are a few signs that suggest that it’s time embark on your healing and wellness journey.

Lack of sleep or always worrying

If you find your mind is always thinking and worrying, and you are struggling to sleep, this may be a sign that it’s time to talk to someone. It is okay to occasionally worry, overthink, and have some nights where you stay up thinking about something. But if it is occurring frequently, then maybe consider the option of speaking to someone. You may also be experiencing anxiety.

The Blues

We all have our sad days, days when we don’t feel ourselves, when we might need to feel our emotions, but it shouldn’t be a prolonged situation. If you find yourself always sad, crying, emotional, withdrawing from activities you enjoy, these may be signs of depression, and it’s important to talk to someone you can trust and have a professional to support you.

Withdrawing and Disengaged

Do you find yourself disengaged from activities you love or usually attend? Are you withdrawing from friends and family? We all need our “me” times, but if it’s continuous, and people around you start to notice, it may be a sign you should talk to someone. Sometimes, we may withdraw or disengage unconsciously. We may be drowning in our thoughts and worries.

Being Reactive

You may be moody and angry and finding it difficult to control your emotions. This was a big sign for me. I was always reactive and didn’t know how to control my feelings. I was overpowered by my anger, and I hurt people around me; I couldn’t control it because I was also hurting. Talking to someone when you may be feeling over-reactive and unable to control your emotions is essential. A therapist can support you in identifying the root causes of your emotions and how to respond to and regulate them.

Being reactive may also be a fight response for people who have experienced traumatic events. Their fight response is their protective mechanism in situations where they may feel triggered and distressed.

 Stuck in the cycle or routine

You may feel like you are continuously in the same situation, i.e. in a job that you don’t like or dating the wrong men and being in toxic relationships. When this occurs, you may feel like it is hard to break the cycle or find the underlying causes that lead to the same or similar situations. This is a sign that it’s time for healing, and focus on yourself to help you break native cycles.

Sometimes the cycle of unhealthy relationships maybe due to trauma and childhood trauma experiences. Therapists and healers will be able to explore underlying causes with you. We believe that healing for BIPOC people should be culturally safe, inclusive, responsive and affirming.

Sis, if you can relate to or are experiencing any one of these signs, please talk to someone. It’s okay not to be or feel okay. It’s okay to talk to someone. Showing vulnerability and talking to someone is not a sign of weakness. Sometimes you want to speak to sisters, and our sisters are here to listen to, support and empower you through your journey.

Our directory features; Black therapists and wellness professionals , Indigenous therapists and wellness professionals , Women of Colour therapists and wellness professionals. We are all here to support and empower you!

 

Nicholah Wasarirevu CEO/Founder of Sisters Healing Space
Author: Nicholah Wasarirevu CEO/Founder of Sisters Healing Space

Nicholah is a highly experienced Black African Social Worker, Therapist, and Mental Health Clinician who is also currently pursuing a PhD. Her research is focused on decolonising mental health practices and examining the impact of racial trauma. With more than five years of experience in the human services and mental health sector, Nicholah recognised the lack of culturally safe and affirming healing and wellness spaces for First Nations, Black and Women of Colour. In response, she founded Sisters Healing Space in 2020. Sisters Healing Space is a nationwide therapist and wellness directory and mental well service platform dedicated to promoting healing and wellness for Sisters’ of all ages. Its mission is to provide access to culturally safe and affirming services, destigmatise mental health within the community and promote generational healing.