American Born Courageous Desi

Mental Health Therapists are well versed in Trump-anxiety: the worries, fears, ruminating thoughts, hyperarousal, pain, and insomnia that plagued majority of the country during the 2016 campaign. We saw it in our clients, discussed it with peers, and likely went home and experienced the same symptoms. As a woman of color, a child of immigrants, raised in a middle income home, a clinical social worker educated in social justice, feminist theory, human development, trauma, and oppression, I felt a deep sense of concern with where this country was heading. Fast forward a few months to November 2016, when Trump-anxiety turned to Trump-depression, a manifestation of our grief, loss, and traumatic stress. Trump supporters enjoyed mocking this experience, after all, this is  the party who proudly encourages "political incorrectness," uses slogans such as "F#ck Feelings" and continues to name-call social justice activists things such as "snowflakes" and "so

May begins an important month of awareness building and educating in the mental health field. May is not only Mental Health Awareness Month, but also a month of awareness focused on underserved subgroups within our field, such as children's mental health, maternal mental health. Asian American/Pacific Islander Heritage month is also celebrated in May. The intersection this awareness-building feels like a call to action, as it clearly reflects the intersection of my professional and personal interests. Regardless of the age or stage, a common issue presented in Asian American immigrant families in therapy is the need for belonging, acceptance, and connection. Belonging and acceptance within the family system and within the larger community. Belonging and acceptance is a need whether you are a new mom overwhelmed with the demands of a newborn baby and the subsequent transition in your identity; or an adolescent overwhelmed with the demands of school, friends, immigrant parents, rac