Weekly Wrap-Up
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The Importance of Juneteenth
 
The Real Juneteenth: A time to reflect on the impact of trauma on the mental health status of the African American community

Guest Blog By: Nicki King, Ph.D.
 
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when former slaves in Texas learned of the Emancipation Proclamation, meaning they were free. Please note the date: June 19, 1865, more than two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued, six months after Congress passed the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery and two months after Lee surrendered at Appomattox.
 
Juneteenth should be a day of reflection, not only in the African American community, but nationwide, of the lingering impact of trauma caused by slavery and continued institutional racism on the descendants of the enslaved.
 

Announcements


State Reinforces Training Against Racial Bias, for Mental Health
 
State Superintendent Tony Thurmond announces initiatives to address implicit bias, racism and students struggling with trauma amongst pandemic and civil unrest
 
Earlier this month, the California Department of Education announced it will train all of its 2,500 employees in implicit bias and create guidance for school districts across the state to help them accelerate their efforts to dismantle racism in education thanks to a half a million philanthropic grant.
 



The Coronavirus Lockdown has Dramatically Worsened Mental Health for LGBTQ People
 
A new survey from the queer wellness website OutLife shows that the COVID-19 quarantine is negatively affecting queer people's mental health. The negative impacts were most pronounced for women, trans people and people of color.
 
The survey asked 2,333 LGBTQ Facebook users about their depression, anxiety, loneliness and experiences with self-harm and abuse during the lockdown. In almost all cases, the respondents said their mental health had worsened since the start of quarantine.




Trans Lifeline's Peer Support Hotline
 
Trans Lifeline's Hotline is a peer support service run by trans people, for trans and questioning callers. Our operators are located all over the U.S. and Canada, and are all trans-identified. If you are in crisis or just need someone to talk to, even if it's just about whether or not you're trans, please call us.




Black Leaders Are Creating Healing Spaces To Combat The Mental Stress Of Racism, Injustice
 
Race-based stress can affect mood, appetite, sleep and relationships. It's been linked to birth complications for African American women, and it may even make Black and brown Californians more susceptible to COVID-19.
 
As discussions about police violence and systemic racism continue, African American leaders say it's crucial for people to find a way to safely process both historical and current events and get help when they need it.


Events


 

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