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1 Anti-Oppressive Practice: Mental Health Anti-Oppressive Practice: Mental Health Take a moment to reflect on what you think social work is. What does it consist of, how does it impact the lower-class people, and does the system prevent further maltreatment? Social workers are trained to assist others through all types of services. We are known as the fixers of those in need, but social work is more than that. The social worker does not just provide services

2 to the individual and push them down the line like a conveyor belt. We are the advocates for those who might not have someone in their corner and attempt to tear down the red tape that the government has placed on social services programs. While social workers are active in the community, we come across situations that are not favored by the lower-class population, minorities, and those who might not know how to seek those services. We have seen it all within the social work practice, but many of us are blinded by our beliefs and biases on how we think someone's life should look. For example, a white male who was raised in a middle-class community would not fully understand what it takes to work hard for something because of the automatic privilege he was born into. When it comes to an African American male who was born in the projects, he has experienced having to work harder to get the same treatment as the white middle-aged male. Do you think the African American male will ever be equal to the white male when it comes to services and income? The discrimination and biases that are indeed out in the community will prevent the minority group from ever receiving the same level of privilege that the white community would get. With that being said, it is essential to engage in anti-oppressive social work practice throughout your whole career. What is anti-oppressive social work practice? It is described as; “AOP in social work is a critical framework that guides us in challenging and dismantling oppressive structures and practice.” (Baylor School of Social Work Team, 2023) When faced with new clients and their needs, we must check our values, biases, and beliefs at the door. As you enter the room to assist the client, remember to work on making that space safe for the client physically and emotionally. Social workers must continuously work on eliminating any oppressive actions within the system.

3 Many people have power and privilege within the community, but how do they access those? Privilege is an unearned particular advantage that is given to someone in a specific group that is valued but restricted to others. When you define Privilege through DEI Resources, it is known as someone who has received it because it was unearned. For example, a white male who was born into privilege has access to advantages and opportunities. He only earned this privilege as he was a member of a dominant group within the society. Privilege implies that wherever there is a system of oppression, there is an oppressed group and a group that benefits from the oppressions that this system put in place. (Dei Resources: Power & Privilege, n.d.) When you define power, we would immediately think of someone in a position of power. Power is a Dominant racial individual possessing control and authority influence within the community. It was defined through DEI Resources that power is the access to that unearned privilege that will assist the individual’s chances of getting what they need to live a comfortable, safe, productive, and profitable life. (Dei Resources: Power & Privilege, n.d.) When you have both power and privilege involved in a racial group, there is an opportunity for oppression to be reflected in another group. I would define oppression as the violation of power and privilege that is reflected on others through discrimination and prejudice. Privilege and power can be abused in multiple ways throughout society, and minority groups witness those being used in ways that cause them to suffer. For example, a predominantly white community will have the resources to place into their schools and allow those children to be successful. The minority communities do not have the privileges or power to get funding for their community, causing the children to utilize outdated materials. Systems of oppression are built around what are understood to be “norms” in our societies. A norm signifies what is “normal,” acceptable, and desirable. “The norm” is valued

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4 and supported in a society. It is also given a position of dominance, privilege, and power over what is defined as non-dominant, abnormal, and, therefore, invaluable or marginal. (Dei Resources: Power & Privilege, n.d.) These can be identified in the schools, government, and medical systems. Social workers need to work on anti-oppression and continue to assist others in recognizing the oppression that has been and continues to exist in society. We need to identify this before we can change the oppression that does occur. It is like this statement: It will not be resolved until someone identifies the problem. When anti-oppression is practiced in society, we can break down those barriers that many of our minorities face and also allow everyone an equal opportunity to be successful. In America, it is stated that each individual is entitled to an equal opportunity to benefit from any public health care system and that this entitlement is proportionate neither to the size of their chance of benefitting, nor to the quality of the benefit, nor to the length of lifetime remaining in which that benefit may be enjoyed, runs counter to most current thinking about the allocation of resources for health care. Does everyone get that equal opportunity? Minority communities might not have those resources, and the social services that turn them away due to their skin color or their income status are not equal. (Harris J, 1999) As social workers, we must be neutral, hold up confidentiality, and pursue social change. We are held to the highest standard regarding individuals’ mental health and social services. Our focus must be on, as well as with, those who are vulnerable and the group in which oppression has been experienced. Within the National Association of Social Workers, it is noted that social workers’ social change efforts are focused primarily on issues of poverty, unemployment, discrimination, and other forms of social injustice. These activities promote sensitivity to and

5 knowledge about oppression and cultural and ethnic diversity. Social workers strive to ensure access to needed information, services, and resources, equality of opportunity, and meaningful participation in decision-making for all people. (Code of Ethics - Ethical Principles, n.d.) According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “mental illnesses are among the most common health conditions in the United States as more than one in five adults live with a mental illness. According to the statistics, about one in twenty-five adults live with serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression.” (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, 2023) Reviewing that information, think back at the communities, like the projects that might not have those services on hand. Those individuals would go untreated and be unable to be successful throughout life. There is a significant stigma around mental illness, especially in minority communities, which have current barriers to those trying to access mental health services. Due to the treatment that they have experienced in the past, African American individuals are very distrustful toward the mental healthcare system, and it is causing a barrier to seeking help. Discrimination has been created within the institution with intent and an unintended loss of opportunity. Military veterans of color are more at risk of developing adverse psychological outcomes at higher rates than their white counterparts. It was reported that there was a significant need for services among veterans of color. However, there was an underutilization of mental health care within the VA hospital due to dissatisfaction with their providers. They were experiencing discrimination, and they were experiencing race-based trauma. (Carlson et al., 2018) With this stigma and discrimination contributing to the lack of mental health treatment, the likelihood of symptoms getting worse in an individual is high. “A recent extensive review of research found that self-stigma leads to adverse effects on recovery among people diagnosed

6 with severe mental illnesses. Effects can include reduced hope, lower self-esteem, increased psychiatric symptoms, difficulties with social relationships, reduced likelihood of staying with treatment, and more difficulties at work. (Borenstein, M.D., 2020) Building rapport with the minority community would allow us to knock down the possible oppression that has been created. Dive into the community to ensure they have the resources to be successful. These programs would be beneficial: Big Brother and Big Sister programs, after-school mentor programs, providing probone social workers in the community schools, and multiple school supply drives. This will ensure that the students have a fair chance to succeed when the communities lack funding or resources. We need to check out biases at the door, understand and recognize the influences that affect the family's well-being, and advocate for those who might not know where the services are. This will allow us to work on the oppression in the community. Resources About mental health . Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, April 25). https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/learn/index.htm#:~:text=How%20common%20are %20mental%20illnesses,live%20with%20a%20mental%20illness. Baylor School of Social Work Team. (2023, March 17). 5 things to know about anti-oppressive practice in Social Work . Baylor University. https://gsswstories.baylor.edu/blog/5-things-to- know-about-anti-oppressive-practice-in-social-work.

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7 Dei Resources: Power & Privilege . Power & Privilege - DEI Resources - LibGuides at Michigan State University Libraries. (n.d.). https://libguides.lib.msu.edu/c.php? g=1133877&p=8276231 Justice and equal opportunities in health care. Bioethics , 13 (5), 392–404. Harris J. (1999). https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8519.00167 Code of Ethics - Ethical Principles . NASW, National Association of Social Workers. (n.d.). https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English Borenstein, M.D., J. (2020, August). Stigma, Prejudice and Discrimination Against People with Mental Illness . Psychiatry. https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/stigma-and- discrimination Carlson, M., Endlsey, M., Motley, D., Shawahin, L. N., & Williams, M. T. (2018). Addressing the impact of racism on veterans of color: A race-based stress and trauma intervention. Psychology of Violence , 8 (6), 748–762. https://doi.org/10.1037/vio0000221

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