Have you heard of 'othering'? It's when we point our finger at someone else, blaming them for their circumstances. It's how we decrease our anxiety about unfairness and suffering in the world. It's dangerous, and it's gotten worse during COVID. But: there's an antidote!
(This episode was recorded in May of 2020.)
In this series on healthcare and social disparities, Dr. Jill Wener, a board-certified Internal Medicine specialist, meditation expert, and tapping practitioner, interviews experts in multiple fields relating to social justice and anti-racism. In this episode, Jill interviews Dr. Janelle Peifer, PhD, a licensed clinical psychologist and assistant professor of psychology at Agnes Scott College. Dr. Peifer shares her knowledge and insights about health disparities and mental health risk amongst minorities, both before and during coronavirus. In particular, she discusses the multiple factors leading to inequitable access to mental health amongst marginalized communities, how we use 'othering' to decrease our anxiety about unfairness and suffering, and how we can use empathy to counteract stress relating to COVID. She also discusses mental health red flags to look out for during COVID, and incredible resources to help you or your loved ones.
Janelle S. Peifer is an assistant professor of psychology at Agnes Scott College. She earned her Ph.D. in Clinical and School Psychology at the University of Virginia and is an alumna of Wake Forest University. Her research examines: 1) college student development with an identity and intercultural competence focus and 2) a family-based clinical intervention focused on postpartum wellness. Peifer’s clinical and applied interests include identity formation, trauma/resilience, and the impact and value of higher education.
Learn more about Dr. Peifer:
Website: https://www.janellepeifer.com
https://www.onwardandoutward.org/
(free 30 minute wellness consult)
Mental health resources:
GCAL: https://www.georgiacollaborative.com/
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
NAMI Line: https://www.nami.org/help
Therapy for Black Girls: https://therapyforblackgirls.com/
Referral Guide in GA: bit.ly/telereferral
Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us
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You can learn more about Dr. Wener and her online meditation and tapping courses at www.jillwener.com, and you can learn more about her online social justice course, Conscious Anti Racism: Tools for Self-Discovery, Accountability, and Meaningful Change at https://theresttechnique.com/courses/conscious-anti-racism.
Find the Conscious Anti-Racism book at
Join her Conscious Anti-Racism facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/307196473283408/
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