In Caribbean communities, it’s almost unheard of for anyone to seek help with their mental health. You might even wonder if people from our background work in this profession at all.
Well, I’m here to surprise you — I’m not the only Haitian mental health professional!
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Eva Beaulieu, a licensed clinical psychologist, author, and mental health advocate. Together, we’ll talk about how to navigate our culture and why it’s so important to reach out for help when we need it most.
Shownotes
Meet Dr. Eva Beaulieu
- Dr. Eva Beaulieu is a respected physician, entrepreneur, author, and influencer who empowers women to live their best lives by caring for their bodies, inside and out.
- She believes representation matters. With African Americans still underrepresented in medicine, she advocates for more diversity in medical schools and recognizes the trust and impact that doctors of color bring to their communities.
Cultural Roots & Silence
- If you grew up in the Caribbean, you may have seen how resilient everyone was. Even Dr. Eva noticed how, in Haiti, you never saw the problems people were facing.
- You may have seen how every morning your mom or grandmother would get up and go about their day. But what you didn’t see were their hidden fears, sadness, or mental health struggles.
“Prayer Solves Everything” — Faith, Stigma & Avoidance
- What Dr. Eva did see from her culture was the importance of prayer. If you were sick, broke, or tired, you turned to prayer to solve the problem. However, people in these communities tend to turn only to prayer and not do anything else.
- Dr. Eva shares how essential it is to seek resources to solve your problems. If you’re struggling with mental health, talk to a mental health professional or another trusted source.
Pretending Everything is Fine — Image & Emotional Suppression
- To save face, people will often keep problems a secret. This often causes emotional suppression.
- Dr. Eva says the best way to break this generational trauma response is by opening up. Teach your children that if there’s something on their mind, it’s okay to express it.
- Also, when you’re just learning how to open up, start slow. You don’t have to tell the whole world what you’re going through — start with a friend, pastor, or family member.
Cultural Assimilation — Bridging the Gap Without Losing Identity
- After coming to the United States at the age of 15, Dr. Eva noticed the differences between the Haitian community and the American community.
- To keep herself from losing her identity, she started embracing both. Just because you grew up in one world and moved to another doesn’t mean you have to pick and choose.
- Embrace your cultural roots while adapting to the new culture to keep from losing who you really are.
“We are not to be resilient. Haitian people are known for their resilience, and that’s not because we’re not suffering on the inside…you’re not allowed to show the world that you have problems, that you’re depressed, that, you know, you’re going through it.” – Dr. Eva Beaulieu
Book a session with me.
Whether it’s anxiety, depression, trauma, or just not feeling yourself – let’s talk. Go to FortisMentisPsychiatry.com/help to schedule an appointment.
Resources
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