Multicultural Resources
Coping with Uncertainty and Fear
Tips for coping, normal reactions in adults and children, ways to respond
Race Based Trauma and Support in Times of Civil Strife
Chronic stress can have negative side effects on everyone. Psycho-social factors, specifically, pervasive exposure to racism and discrimination, create an additional daily stressor for people of color. Research shows this to be particularly true for African-Americans (APA, 2016).
Background Information:
Perceived Racism May Impact Black Americans' Mental Health
Links Between Racial Discrimination, Stress and Health
Guidance:
A Guide to the Forensic Assessment of Race-Based Traumatic Stress Reactions
Racism and Psychological and Emotional Injury: Recognizing and assessing race-based traumatic stress
Preventing and Treating PTSD in African Americans
Coping with Race-Related Stress at School/Work
Multicultural Mental Health Resources
American Psychological Association: Immigration
Bridging Refugee Youth & Children’s Services: Mental Health Resources
Mental Health America: Latino/Hispanic Communities and Mental Health
Mental Health America: Asian American/Pacific Islander Communities and Mental Health
NAMI Latino Multicultural Action Center
City of Alexandria 24-Hour Crisis Lines
PRS CrisisLink - 24/7 crisis intervention, suicide prevention and support to foster self-sufficiency by providing problem-solving skills and information on community resources so callers can better cope with emotional trauma, personal and family crises. Text "CONNECT" to 855-11 or call 703.527.4077.
Mental Health First Aid Training
Learn to Recognize Signs of Distress in Youth
From the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services
Cultural and Linguistic Competence Training
Organizational Resources for Multicultural Services
Resources for Addressing Emotional and Psychological Needs in the LGBTQ Community
Although there have been great strides in the legal and civil rights of individuals who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning, the LGBTQ population continue to experience worse health outcomes than their heterosexual counterparts. Due to factors like low rates of health insurance coverage, high rates of stress due to systematic harassment and discrimination, and a lack of cultural competency in the health care system, LGBT people are at a higher risk for cancer, mental illnesses, and other diseases, and are more likely to smoke, drink alcohol, use drugs, and engage in other risky behaviors.
Find out more:
- Do Ask, Do Tell! Collecting Data on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
- How to close the disparities gap for LGBT communities
- Mental Health America - LGBT
- NAMI - LGBT - Finding Support
- Mental Health America: Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender Communities and Mental Health
- Youth LGBTQ Resources at the Suicide Prevention Alliance of Northern Virginia Website
Does Mental Health Affect My Community?
Resources for Immigrants
The DCHS Cultural and Linguistic Competence Committee hosts periodic Lunch and Learns to help promote an organizational culture that provides culturally and linguistically appropriate supports and services to Alexandrians. In October 2016, the committee hosted a two-hour presentation exploring resources for immigrants in Northern Virginia and Alexandria in particular and moderated a panel of representatives from regional organizations who provide services to immigrant and refugee populations in NOVA. Follow this link for a collection of resources for immigrants and refugees and information about organizations serving those populations presented during the event.