Celebrating Diversity: Beating Minority Stress
In addition to dealing with every-day stress, research confirms that
members of minority groups also experience other stressors unique to their
identity and experiences.
Most minority stress is caused by interpersonal prejudice and discrimination which build over time, eventually leading to poor mental and physical health. In one study 98% of black participants reported experiencing at least one incidence of prejudice in the past year. Another study found that as many as 90% of LGBT youth report hearing prejudiced remarks at school. Minority stressors come from outside and also within each community.
African Americans suffer from elevated rates of hypertension, diabetes, stroke, and certain types of cancer. Members of the LGBT community suffer from higher rates of suicide, depression, sexually transmitted infections, anxiety, substance abuse, and cancer. In several studies, bisexual women report the highest rates of alcohol use, heavy drinking and alcohol related problems when compared to heterosexual and lesbian women.
Responding to stress that caring people and advocates face, HCEI held the first-ever nationwide focus groups to determine peoples’ needs around stress management. As a result the seminar “Celebrating Ourselves: Beating Burnout” was developed and has been presented for thousands of persons internationally. This session has also been successfully adapted and presented for persons living with minority stress, to help them identify stress and respond in healthy ways.
Please join HCEI in taking proactive and preventative action to celebrate diversity and respond to minority stress.
Most minority stress is caused by interpersonal prejudice and discrimination which build over time, eventually leading to poor mental and physical health. In one study 98% of black participants reported experiencing at least one incidence of prejudice in the past year. Another study found that as many as 90% of LGBT youth report hearing prejudiced remarks at school. Minority stressors come from outside and also within each community.
African Americans suffer from elevated rates of hypertension, diabetes, stroke, and certain types of cancer. Members of the LGBT community suffer from higher rates of suicide, depression, sexually transmitted infections, anxiety, substance abuse, and cancer. In several studies, bisexual women report the highest rates of alcohol use, heavy drinking and alcohol related problems when compared to heterosexual and lesbian women.
Responding to stress that caring people and advocates face, HCEI held the first-ever nationwide focus groups to determine peoples’ needs around stress management. As a result the seminar “Celebrating Ourselves: Beating Burnout” was developed and has been presented for thousands of persons internationally. This session has also been successfully adapted and presented for persons living with minority stress, to help them identify stress and respond in healthy ways.
Please join HCEI in taking proactive and preventative action to celebrate diversity and respond to minority stress.
|
HCEI Diversity Collaborators Include:
|