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Decolonized Mental Health Care: Moving Towards Equity
Introduction
After over twenty years of walking alongside individuals on their healing journeys, one truth has become crystal clear: healing is deeply personal and uniquely individual. While Western models of mental health care have undoubtedly shaped the way we approach wellness, they often overlook the profound cultural, historical, and spiritual narratives that shape the lived experiences of Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC). These rich layers of identity and history are essential to understanding the complete picture of a person’s mental health. True healing is not one-size-fits-all; it is a process that must honour the unique stories each individual brings.
Decolonized mental health care calls on us to pause, reflect, and truly listen. It challenges us, whether we are clinicians, communities, or individuals, to create space for the wisdom, pain, and resilience that have been passed down through generations. This process isn’t just about treating symptoms; it’s about recognizing the whole person, rooted in their cultural and ancestral legacy.
1. What Is Decolonized Mental Health Care?
At its heart, decolonized mental health care is about liberation. It is about peeling back the layers of centuries-old systems that have marginalized and silenced so many, particularly Black, Indigenous, and people of colour. Instead of centring care around Eurocentric models, it calls us to embrace cultural knowledge, honour intergenerational wisdom, and celebrate collective identity. It challenges us to listen, truly listen, to the lived experiences of those whose voices have often been ignored, pathologized, or dismissed.
Over the years, I’ve learned that the path to healing is inseparable from the history that shapes us. Mental health is not just an individual struggle; historical and structural forces like displacement, systemic racism, and the quiet yet powerful erasure of cultures influence it. These forces still affect mental health outcomes today. Decolonized mental health care is not merely about introducing a new approach; it’s about rediscovering and reclaiming the healing wisdom that has always lived within marginalized communities. It’s about going back to what we’ve always known, even if it was pushed aside or forgotten.
Key principles of decolonized mental health care include:
- Community healing as a foundation, not an afterthought
- Narrative therapy that honours ancestral and communal stories
- Integration of Indigenous, spiritual, and non-Western practices of wellness
2. Why Does It Matter?
I have witnessed firsthand how traditional mental health models can fall short, especially when they reduce complex experiences to diagnoses or ignore the deep spiritual and cultural wounds clients carry.
Decolonized care is significant for several reasons:
- It recognises systemic oppression as a key source of distress.
- It recognizes cultural resilience and spirituality as essential components of the healing process.
- It respects and acknowledges the complete humanity of the client, rather than focusing solely on their symptoms.
3. Faith and Decolonized Mental Health Care
For many clients I work with, particularly in Black and Indigenous communities, faith is more than just an aspect of life; it is the very essence of life itself. In a decolonized approach to mental health care, spirituality is regarded as fundamental to the healing journey, not merely an afterthought.
In my therapeutic practice, I integrate spiritual and clinical methodologies to enhance the treatment process. This integration may involve:
- • The utilization of prayer and scriptural affirmations within therapy sessions when they align with the client’s beliefs and needs
- • The facilitation of support groups guided by trusted members of the community
- • The application of therapeutic approaches that incorporate both spiritual principles and the cultural identity of clients
- This approach frequently fosters a more profound sense of safety and trust, which is crucial in addressing trauma effectively.
For many of the individuals I work with, especially within Black and Indigenous communities, faith is not simply a part of life; it is the very source of life itself. In decolonized mental health care, spirituality is not seen as an afterthought; it is central to the healing journey. It acknowledges that true healing cannot happen without considering the whole person, including their spiritual beliefs and practices.
In my therapeutic practice, I blend spiritual and clinical tools to create a holistic approach that addresses both the heart and the mind. This might include:
· Prayer and scriptural affirmations during sessions
· Faith-centered support groups, led by trusted community members
· Therapy that integrates both biblical principles and cultural identity
This faith-integrated approach fosters a deep sense of safety and trust, which is especially important when working through trauma. It allows clients to feel supported in a way that resonates with their core beliefs, creating a more meaningful and authentic healing experience.
4. Practices in Action: What It Looks Like
Decolonized therapy extends beyond mere conversation; it is evident in the energy felt in the space, the mindful language we choose, and the sacred rituals we observe. This approach fills the therapy environment with a sense of belonging and respect, encouraging individuals to explore their identities and histories in a meaningful and thoughtful manner. It thrives in the warmth of shared experiences, the resonance of carefully chosen words, and the honouring of traditions that connect us to our roots. Every element is vital in creating a holistic and transformative experience that promotes healing and understanding.
Some examples of decolonized practice:
- Storytelling is both a therapeutic and sacred act
- Offices that reflect cultural heritage through art, colours, and symbols
- Therapeutic approaches that emphasize strength, not pathology
- Affirming the collective experience of racial trauma rather than isolating it
These shifts may seem subtle, but they are deeply transformative.
5. Case Example: Black Maternal Mental Health
I want to present a composite case that represents many similar situations I have encountered: a young Black mother experiencing postpartum depression. In a traditional healthcare model, she is often presented with a clinical checklist, prescribed medication, and provided with limited opportunities to explore the cultural or spiritual dimensions of her distress.
In contrast, a decolonized approach facilitates a comprehensive examination of her narrative within its contextual framework. This model acknowledges her multifaceted roles as a mother, daughter, and community member, while also recognizing the systemic barriers she confronts. Furthermore, it integrates elements such as prayer, ancestral practices, and community support into her overall care plan.
Table 1: Case-Based Comparison
| Category | Traditional Model | Decolonized Model |
| Focus | Pathology/symptoms | Historical & cultural context |
| Method | Clinical treatment plans | Narrative, spiritual, and community healing |
| Practitioner Lens | Value-neutral, objective | Racially conscious, relational |
| Outcomes | Medication, diagnosis | Empowerment, reclamation |
6. Conclusion: Why It’s Time to Decolonize Mental Health Care
The conversation surrounding mental health care is evolving, and as clinicians, advocates, and individuals, we must embrace a broader, more inclusive approach to healing that integrates the science of psychology and the richness of cultural identity.
Decolonizing mental health care is not about rejecting clinical expertise but rather expanding it
It is about more than just acknowledging difference; it is about honouring and respecting the diverse cultural practices, narratives, and healing traditions that shape our experiences. When we embrace these rich traditions, we create a mental health model that is not only more inclusive but also more effective. Understanding the historical and cultural contexts that influence mental health opens the door to a genuinely holistic approach to care, one that sees the whole person.
The path ahead may be challenging, but it is a journey worth taking, one that we must undertake together. Now is the time to transform mental health care into something that genuinely respects and honours each individual’s unique experience and healing journey. Together, we can reimagine a future of mental health that values every story and fosters genuine healing.