Mental Health Program Director Traci Parramore-Chambers Shares Her Thoughts With Us
It was a pleasure having the chance to speak with Traci Parramore-Chambers, -Program Director at Discovery Behavioral Health -who is also a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Speaking of the ongoing problems the African-American community faces due to mental health, Traci shared some of her own experiences which led to her pursuing a career in the mental health field -as well as to help others. According to statistics from the US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health -studies show that 20% of African Americans are more likely to experience mental health problems more than the general population.
Why? Because some of the biggest problems contributing to these figures, are issues of racial discrimination and poverty rates among African Americans -often making them more susceptible to mental health struggles such as depression and PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Recently actress Taraji P. Henson announced her own struggles of dealing with depression and anxiety -and the lack of support for the African American population -when it comes to mental health and finding a suitable therapist who could also assist her son.
Speaking with Traci about the issues today’s society (as a whole) faces when it comes to mental health -(including added pressure to feel accepted -especially when it comes to social media and cyber bullying among both kids and adults) -and often feeling like we have to fit a certain image or lifestyle in order to be loved or accepted. Speaking of her own experiences when dealing with her marriage, Traci touched upon how communication and having a better understanding of your partner -and what they could be facing when it comes to work, relationships or their own struggles -is what helps to sustain a healthy and lasting marriage.
For me, having a chance to talk to Traci was both inspirational and enlightening -because like so many problems we face today -no matter what race we are -we are still human and deal with life in different ways. On top of getting the proper care and treatment when it comes to mental health, Traci and I both agree, that if we are capable to make one of the first steps to help ourselves -the first thing we can do is to exercise, even if it’s just a 20 minute walk each day -and to also surround ourselves with positive people. It has been proven time and time again, that who we affiliate with, often leads us to feeling a certain way good or bad -so making sure we are strong enough to let go of the things that are not good for us, is definitely a move in the right direction.
For more information on Discovery Behavioral Health, go to:
A huge thank you to Traci Parramore-Chambers for her valuable time and Rogers and Cowan for the opportunity.
