The Impact of Colorism on the Mental Health of Black Americans

This training is designed to explain the historical and cultural origin of colorism and its far- reaching impact on identity, self-esteem, and mental health of Black Americans. The training will demonstrate how colorism intersects with gender, age, culture and socioeconomic status, further complicating the mental health challenges for Black Americans. The training will also outline culturally relevant and responsive strategies for participants to utilize when working with clients experiencing colorism-related trauma. By the end of the training, participants will be able to apply effective strategies and culturally sensitive interventions that are specifically tailored to the unique experiences and cultural context of Black American clients.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the historical and cultural origins of colorism: Participants will be able to describe the historical and cultural foundations of colorism and its influence on the identity, self-esteem, and mental health of Black American clients.
  
• Analyze the intersectionality of colorism through gender, age, culture and socioeconomic status: Participants will analyze how the intersectionality of colorism through of gender, age, culture, and socioeconomic status deepens the complexity of mental health experiences of Black Americans with colorism-related trauma.
  
• Identify culturally relevant and responsive strategies: Participants will identify culturally relevant and responsive counseling strategies to address the mental health challenges associated with colorism-related trauma.
  
• Demonstrate culturally sensitive interventions: Participants will demonstrate application of culturally interventions that are tailored to the unique cultural context and lived experiences of Black American clients experiencing colorism-related trauma.