Stress comes in different shapes depending on the individuals’ situation. Racism is a vice that has taken place in areas with people of different colors. The world has witnessed various racial discrimination scenarios against black people recently in the streets, sports, and other public places. However, victims experience racial trauma due to the fear of humiliation and injury. Furthermore, individuals of color who witness others harming their counterparts experience severe medical challenges.
Talkspace, the famous online therapy company, has raised the bar in helping to face the situation. The beauty is that the New York-based company provides services privately through an app. Therefore, such patients receive treatment at their homes without fear of victimization. Additionally, they respond to the treatment quickly because they access therapists in real-time.
Black Lives Matter, the movement that demands justice for people of color, continues to take shape. It came into the limelight after the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd. Since its establishment, the movement addresses matters revolving around social and racial justice, especially across corporate America.
It has empowered individuals to speak out on racial and mistreatment experienced against former employers despite non-disclosure agreements. The collapsing global economy and coronavirus pandemic has increased the number of racial trauma cases. The following is an overview of the whole situation.
Racial Trauma at Workplaces
Shaakira Haywood Steward and Talkspace admit that racism in workplaces emerges through macroaggressions and microaggressions. Stewart, Ph.D., is a renowned New York-based psychologist. She further explained that individuals experience racial issues, either verbally or nonverbally, harassment, email, and denial of career advancement opportunities, among others.
Dr. Haywood points out that racial trauma victims experience oppressive and derogatory undertones from their counterparts. Additionally, they always feel like every negative tone coming from fellow workers targets them. According to Dr. Stewart, such individuals hesitate to react when things they had anticipated happen at workplaces. However, she has welcomed the people of color and Black people’s courage to share their workplace predicaments.
Overcoming Workplace Trauma
Dr.Haywood notes that the healing process begins by identifying the problem. While quitting might not be an option, she recommends therapy as a long-term solution. Talkspace has experienced professional therapists for handling such cases.
According to the expert, the victims should consult therapists of color who understand systematic racism and oppression. Besides, the therapists should help the victims understand corporate America’s current state. Dr.Stewart reiterates that engaging close friends is also part of the healing process. She explains that friends could take various measures to solve the problem, for example, writing open letters and communicating with the racists unapologetically.
The workplace could become toxic to the victims despite the mentioned healing processes. Experts advise them to create an exit plan when they experience pervasive anxiety and emotions that affect their daily lives. Notable examples include changes in sleep habits, socializing with friends, and lack of motivation. However, she warns that they should involve either career coaches or online licensed professional therapists to facilitate gradual exit plans.
About Talkspace
The company operates under the leadership of Oren and Roni Frank, the co-founders. Additionally, they have employed other executives and about 1,000 employees since establishing the firm in June 2012. Millions of patients have benefited through the platform that enables them to communicate with therapists privately at affordable rates.
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