“Why are you going to therapy? Isn’t that for crazy people?” Plenty of us have heard a friend or relative say something like this if we’ve talked about seeing a therapist or counselor. It’s a common misconception that therapy is only for those with a severe mental illness. But the fact of the matter is that most people who come to therapy are very normal! They work in the cubicle next to you, serve you dinner at the restaurant near your house, teach your classes, even preach at your church!
And yet, stigma still plays a big role in preventing people from getting the help they need. Many people who could benefit from a few therapy session choose not to go because they worry what others might say if they found out. Sadly, the problem of stigma around mental health treatment is worst in minority communities.
According to the Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality, “people from racial/ethnic minorities are less likely to receive mental health care”. In a recent study they found that only 31% of Blacks and Hispanics and 22% of Asians who reported a mental illness received mental health services. The big question is why?
I have family that lives in Mexico, and some of them have no idea what I do for a living. I mean, I’ve told them about my jobs, but they just don’t get it. They say things like, “So you talk to crazy people all day?” They use the word, “psycholoco” a play on the word Psychotherapist, to describe my profession. As a professor I often hear stories from my students, all of whom are training to be therapists themselves, about how the minority groups they belong to tend to see mental health as something that shouldn’t be discussed, or as something that we should ignore and “sweep under the rug.”
What I find the most interesting though is when I can have a deeper conversation with people who still hold different negative stigmas to mental health, they always tend to be the ones who want to know just a little bit more of what therapy is really like. I have noticed that at times it is more of something that has been passed down that its more of a generational thing as opposed to what they actual believe about mental health.
As a therapist who is Mexican American and fluent in Spanish and English, I have been fortunate to work with many strong and courageous individuals, couples, and families to break some of those barriers that have been passed down from generation to generation. I sometimes get to work with couples in which one partner has recently moved to the US from another country and culture. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to help these couples find hope and healing amidst their current cultural and situational struggles.
Making the choice to attend therapy is important, but it does not have to be scary or shameful. All kinds of people come to therapy. Yes, some are experiencing devastating depression or PTSD. Some are on the brink of divorce. But many are in the early stages of dealing with a challenging relationship, transitioning to a new phase of life, entering college, deciding whether to have children, or struggling with social anxiety. Every story is unique, and every concern is treated with respect in my office. No challenge is too big or too small to bring to therapy!
If your family doesn’t understand why you’re coming to therapy or thinks you are crazy for wanting someone to help you sort out the challenges in your life, we can talk about that too. That’s part of what we therapists do. We can even talk with your family if you’d like, or they can come to a session with you. It’s all up to you. Whatever helps you feel comfortable so you can start living your best life!
If you are struggling but are not sure if someone will “get you” or understand you, I ask that you allow me the opportunity to hear your story. At Greenline we want to break those barriers that have gotten in the way for far too long, and to help heal the generational trauma that has been passed down. You matter. Your story matters. And you deserve to be heard. Give us a call today, and let's get started telling a better story in your life.
Saul Salmeron, LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with Greenline Psychological Services. Saul specializes in working with couples, young adults, spiritual concerns, and cultural difficulties such as integration of multi-racial families, immigration-related challenges, and multi-language families. He can be reached at 657-234-5077 or salmerons@greenlinepsych.com
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