Mental Health Redefined
Mental Health Redefined.
Mental wellness relates to how we interact with ourselves and the larger world and involves our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It’s about our WHOLE self (mental, emotional, physical, spiritual) and how these parts of us experience and interact with the world and systems around us.
At Phoenix Rising Centers, we believe that the health and well-being of our families, communities, friends, and the larger systems around us significantly impact our mental health. Existing within a broken system takes a toll, impacting our collective and individual mental health.
The legacy of slavery continues to shape the lives of Black people in America today. Descendants of enslaved individuals carry the intergenerational trauma of centuries of violence, oppression, and systemic racism. This historical context has profound implications for the mental health of Black communities.
It is imperative that organizations and stakeholders acknowledge the ongoing impact of systemic racism and take action to address the deep-rooted trauma experienced by Black individuals. This includes providing culturally competent mental health care and advocating for policies that promote racial justice and equity.
LGBTQIA+ individuals
LGBTQIA+ individuals often face rejection and discrimination from their families and society. This can lead to a deep sense of isolation and a struggle to find one's place in the world. Homophobia and transphobia are pervasive in many communities, fueled by harmful stereotypes and religious beliefs. The notion that being LGBTQIA+ is a sin is a harmful and discriminatory belief that perpetuates suffering.
Phoenix Rising Centers is committed to providing a safe and inclusive space for LGBTQIA+ individuals. We believe that everyone deserves to be loved and accepted for who they are. Our leadership team is composed entirely of queer individuals who understand the unique challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community. We offer a range of services to support mental health and well-being, including therapy, peer support groups, and educational resources.
It's crucial to address the alarming rates of suicide within the LGBTQIA+ community. These tragic statistics highlight the urgent need for greater support and acceptance. By fostering a more inclusive and equitable society, we can help reduce the risk of suicide and create a brighter future for all.(2).
Phoenix Rising Centers is steeped in inclusivity and equity. We are doing our part to improve the lives of those who have been abused, forgotten, ignored, and left behind. We are here to empower our clients by giving them access to help and treatment from providers who share parts of each individual’s lived experiences. This kind of access is what helps to Redefine Mental Health.
What does it mean to redefine mental health?
Access to psychotherapy is often marred by stigma, with the belief that needing help denotes weakness. It's high time we confront the idea that we should simply "pull ourselves up by the bootstraps” and face the daunting journey of healing in isolation. We’re not designed to undertake this alone; in fact, we cannot do it alone. This message is a core call to action at the Phoenix Rising Centers. We are tired of witnessing the struggles and suffering of those historically marginalized in silence.
We refer to this as Mental Health Redefined because we believe that mental health access is a fundamental human right. This access should not be limited to those who have traditionally enjoyed privilege; it must extend to marginalized communities, including LGBTQ+, QtPoC, other Black and Brown individuals, neurodivergent people, those living with disabilities, and others who have been historically marginalized.
At Phoenix Rising Centers, we aim to transform the concept of seeking help. We view it as a Brave act—yes, Brave with a capital B. It takes a true warrior to confront the most painful and difficult aspects of life: our trauma, our suffering, both personal and collective. We believe no one should face this journey alone, and we are here to support you.
Redefining Mental Health is about undoing White Supremacy.
How? Because it is the White/European culture that brought this idea of rugged individualism. This needs to shift. There is so much to embrace from collectivist culture. Having the value and support to work together within our communities and systems and ensuring those in need have access to the best possible services makes us mentally robust and healthy, not only as an individual but as a society as a whole. It’s true, and we are the sum of our parts. But, together, we are more robust, and doing it alone is no longer a viable, sustainable, or desirable option.
Mental Health Redefined.
Typically, mental health supports are for those with access and wealth. Not surprisingly, our first Black president helped to close this gap by implementing The Affordable Care Act, AKA Obamacare. But still, there’s White Supremacy, which calls a person weak if they need help. So, we are working to redefine what it means to ask for help. And we are redefining what it means to provide mental health services. A big part of what we do is take insurance and centralize care for those who utilize Medicaid insurance. We will never be that place that only takes out of pocket or charges people an unreasonable amount of money for those who need it to get help.
Phoenix Rising Centers is redefining mental health care by providing it to those who have historically struggled to find it. Whether it’s trying to find a provider who looks like you or shares some of your most impactful lived experiences, it has not been easy; this is especially true for Black and Brown people living in America. This country has an obvious access issue, and mental health providers are typically from the most privileged groups—White/European Americans, able-bodied, heterosexual, and cisgender. FACTS: In 2015, 86 percent of psychologists in the U.S. workforce were White, 5 percent were Asian, 5 percent were Hispanic, 4 percent were Black/African American, and 1 percent were multiracial or from other racial/ethnic groups. This is less diverse than the U.S. population, which is 62 percent White and 38 percent racial/ethnic minority (3).
Phoenix Rising Centers is dedicated to making mental health accessible to ALL and highlighting and centralizing mental health care FOR and BY the communities we serve. We have decided to take a step forward and Redefine Mental Health as something much more inclusive in response to the needs of our communities. Our commitment is to continue to improve mental health treatment and outcomes for those who have been historically excluded.
Our Brand
Our minimalist logo, which showcases the majestic Phoenix rising from the ashes, symbolizes a profound journey of growth and transformation. Just as the Phoenix rises anew, we are committed to guiding individuals on their journeys toward personal development and significant change. We aspire for our logo to be instantly recognizable, offering hope, healing, and support to the communities we serve.
Resource:
Suicide Prevention Month: A summary of data on LGBT suicide. https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/press/suicide-prevention-media-alert/.
Trevor Project; https://www.thetrevorproject.org/research-briefs/estimate-of-how-often-lgbtq-youth-attempt-suicide-in-the-u-s/.
U.S. Census Bureau. (2015). American Community Survey 1-Year PUMS file. Retrieved from www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/data/pums.html. "Other" racial/ethnic groups included American Indian/Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and people of two or more races. U.S. doctorate holders included individuals in the workforce with a doctoral/professional degree in any field. The Total may not sum to 100 percent due to rounding.