Melody Li, LMFT, founder of Inclusive Therapists, told POPSUGAR that systemic oppression hurts the mental health of people who have been marginalized. This includes those who identify as BIPOC, the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, and those who are considered neurodiverse.
"People with marginalized identities may begin to question or minimize their own experiences," Li said. "To take care of our mental health starts with identifying the sources of trauma: personal, relational, systemic, intergenerational, historical. This reflection empowers us to tend to ourselves and our communities more holistically and authentically."
Action item:Find a caring community with similar experiences. Share your story, and hold space for others. "Collective care is a powerful way to tend to the pains caused by systemic oppression," Li said. It helps to find validation elsewhere. And, if you don't find an answer to this question because you come from a place of privilege, do research on how to be a better ally. Read the stories of others. Learn and listen.
