I’ve been practicing mental health in Colorado for over forty years. I have a doctorate in Clinical Psychology which I obtained from the University of Denver. As well, I have been teaching Psychology courses for twenty-six years at the University of Colorado.
In the past, I partnered with the Department of Corrections and the Mental Health Institute in Pueblo, where I treated the criminally insane in maximum security prisons. Furthermore, I’ve been Chairman of The State parole board. I launched a charter school for high-risk minorities in Colorado Springs. Currently, I fulfill the role as president of the Denver Rocky Mountain Association of Black Psychologists.
How did you come to be a founding member and former president of the Association of Black Psychologists?
Many of the founding members of the American Psychological Association were eugenicists, essentially White supremacists. Many United States policies concerning the housing and education of African-Americans were constructed upon the skewed models that eugenicists created. So, rather than appeal to the White Psychologist association, we decided to form our own independent organization in 1968.
The association of Black Psychologists foremost serves as an arena in which we focus on addressing the mental health needs of the Black community. We have mentored hundreds of African American psychology students and assisted early career professionals to become established in the field of psychology.
What would you say is the primary mental health issue in the Black community?
Dr. David Satcher, former US Surgeon General, wrote the first report on mental health. His report stated the number one mental health challenge in America is depression. Assuming this information is accurate, we must consider that less than 1% of all psychologists in the nation are African-American. This means there’s a real need for us to have more Black psychologists who are trained and willing to assist with depression in African-American communities across the nation.
Black people deal with racism and White supremacy every day of our lives. The weight of such stress takes its toll on us all. It manifests in anger, anxiety, and depression. Therefore, it’s essential that we have enough African-American professionals to address our issues because by and large, White universities do not address cross-cultural issues. Nor are psychotherapy and psychological evaluations for cross-cultural issues, taught during the training of students. This means the burden is ours to address.
What are some tips you would offer to people looking to improve their mental health?
1) Identify what fear you have that keeps you from achieving the things you seek to accomplish. If you can face those fears and overcome them, that it will free up a lot of energy to address other challenges in life.
2) It’s essential that people have a positive self-concept. God does not make mistakes. All of us are here for a purpose. We all have unique, God-given strengths and abilities. We must tap into them.
3) Know your history. Know that we stand on the shoulders of giants. Always remember the ancestors who have died so we can be free to seize the opportunities available to us today. When we realize who and what we are connected to, we can draw strength from that.
4) If you break your arm, you’re going to go to a physician and get that bone reset. Being able to recognize when you need help is critical, and you must seek it out. We want you to live a fulfilling life.
