We've put together this handy guide to help you. History gives us an explanation for why some races face discrimination and disadvantages. They are less likely to be selected for jobs, which leads to a lower standard of living and less access to health care, leading to a shorter average life expectancy and higher suicide rates. Institutions play an important role in perpetuating racism. They include schools, the court system, the media, and organisations.
Institutions and history work together to give certain groups of people more of a say in how their country is built. The history of British colonisation in Australia means that our laws, schools and other bodies were shaped by the dominant group, while Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were excluded from this process. This meant that racist government policies such as the White Australia policy and The Stolen Generations happened without much resistance from the dominant, white group.
The high rates of Aboriginal deaths in police custody and of imprisonment of Aboriginal young people are just two modern examples of how institutionalised racism can shape racist policies that have long-lasting effects. But the most important way these two things work together is by creating an imbalance of power based on race. This is why a black person can use the n-word, or why Asian people can make jokes about their own race. There is no imbalance of power in that exchange. Certain races and cultures are the targets of stereotypes that paint them as lazy, dirty or untrustworthy.
This can have a pretty big impact on things like their job or housing opportunities. Everyone, including minority groups, who lives on Australian land also benefits from the systemic racism against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. They are also becoming more exposed to information they may find hard to process. Start by understanding what they know. Teenagers are able to understand abstract concepts more clearly and express their views.
They may know more than you think they do and have strong emotions on the topic. Try to understand how they feel and what they know, and keep the conversation going. Try to find ways to introduce your child to diverse cultures and people from different races and ethnicities. Such positive interactions with other racial and social groups early on help decrease prejudice and encourage more cross-group friendships. You can also bring the outside world into your home.
Explore food from other cultures, read their stories and watch their films. Be conscious of racial bias in books and films and seek out ones that portray people from different racial and ethnic groups in varied roles. Consider stories that feature minority actors playing complex or leading characters. This can go a long way in confronting racial and discriminatory stereotypes.
If your children are in school, find out from their teacher about how racism is covered in class and school rules and regulations to prevent and deal with it. Explore the past together to better understand the present. Historical events like the end of apartheid in South Africa, the civil rights movement in the United States and other movements for equality around the world remain symbols of a traumatic past that societies are still recovering from.
These shared experiences can further help your child build trust and openness to different perspectives. What they see you do is as important as what they hear you say. Like language, prejudice is learned over time. In helping your child recognize and confront racial bias, you should first consider your own — does your friend circle or people you work with represent a diverse and inclusive group?
You can choose to complain to the NHS service provider directly, or to the commissioner of the services, which is the body that pays for the NHS services you use. Once you have made a complaint, you should expect an acknowledgement and the offer of a discussion about the handling of your complaint within working days. Visit the NHS webpage on making complaints for more guidance.
See below for a list of organisations and helpline services that have information to support you. Provides independent, confidential and accessible support for victims and witnesses of hate crimes or discrimination.
Information on accessibility available here. You can report any form of hate crime through their website here. You can call to talk through any worry or problem, including around issues such as bereavement, physical or mental health, financial issues or unemployment, or bullying and racism. Interpreters are available for other languages. Webchat service available here during opening hours.
Find out more about your rights under the Equality Act and how it protects different characteristics, such as gender, race and sexuality. Connects Black individuals and families with free professional mental health services across the UK. Send them a message on their website to be connected with a Black therapist. Bayo has a list of organisations that work specifically with Black young people, including places where Black young people can get mental health support in their local community.
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I am a young person I am a parent I work with young people. Open site search Open main navigation. View shareable links View Basket : 0 items. Guide Menu for Racism and mental health. Hide Show guide menu. Guide contents jump to section What can I do to improve my mental health?
Reporting a hate crime What should I do if I think a mental health professional is being racist? Get help now. The important thing is how you see the situation and how it makes you feel. You might also be affected by:. I decided I shouldn't feel ashamed of who I am - nobody should ever feel ashamed of who they are. Some examples of this can include: speaking in another language, or with an accent, in public using public transport or going to certain public places alone where you could be a minority using your real name on a job application worrying about interacting with the police worrying about wearing the clothes we want to wear hiding parts of our identity, like our religion or culture sharing our worldview and taking part in topical discussions visiting places, or going on holiday to places, where racism has been reported.
Racism, directly or indirectly, touches every person of colour and has an effect on our mental health. What can I do to improve my mental health? Here are some things you can do if racism is affecting your mental health: 1. Speak to your GP if you: are experiencing flashbacks or intrusive thoughts about a traumatic incident or think you might have PTSD have a continuously low mood, depression or low self-esteem are feeling numb or empty inside experience changes to your sleeping or eating habits experience any changes to your mood and behaviour that feel out of the ordinary are feeling worried or are anxious a lot of the time.
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