Henrietta Lacks. The Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment. Microaggressions and racial trauma. These are just some of the reasons Black people have a distrust of the medical and mental health profession. About 25% of Black people seek mental health treatment, compared to 40% of white Americans. Despite lower rates of major depressive episodes than the U.S. population overall, mental health disorders have increased in Black youth and adults over the last decade. Rates also surged during the pandemic. The bottom line? We're in desperate need of therapy but are very reluctant to receive treatment. In this episode, Satta and Jaretta speak with Margaret (Frempong) McComiskey, MSW, LICSW, a licensed therapist and clinical social worker who believes therapy is for everyone, especially Black folks. Gaining the capacity to face complicated, and oftentimes, frightening emotions is one of the bravest things you can do for yourself and the ones you love, McComiskey says. Join Satta, Jaretta, and Margaret as they discuss: Psychotherapy Social Work Talk Therapy Compassionate Black Church Cursed Generational Trauma Black Men Cultural Competency Finding a Therapist Affordable Therapy Adjustment disorders Employment Assistance Program (EAP) Honorable Mentions Black Mental Health: What You Need To Know Black and African American Communities and Mental Health Social Work History 10 Sure Signs You Need To See A Therapist (And How To Find The Right One) Why Black Churches Need to Do Better with Mental Health Issues Notions of Spirits as Agents of Mental Illness among the Akan of Ghana: A Cultural-psychological Exploration RAPPERS DEFEND MICHAEL B. JORDAN AND JONATHAN MAJORS AFTER CAM'RON DISSES 'CREED III' OVER CAST PHOTO Why Cultural Competence is Important Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation Question of the Episode: Has therapy worked for you? Share with us your answer via email or in a review wherever you listened to this episode! Learn more about United Paths here: Website: www.younitedpats.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unitedpaths/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/united-paths-llc/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unitedpaths Follow Margaret McComiskey: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mm.therapy/?hl=en Psychology Today Zencare 💛👩🏾👧🏾👩🏾‍🦰👩🏾‍🦱👱🏾‍♀️👸🏾👩🏾‍⚕️👩🏾‍🎓👩🏾‍🏫🧕🏾💛 This podcast is hosted and sponsored by Satta Sarmah Hightower and Jaretta Konneh. When Satta isn't sharing her life experiences with Jaretta, she works in content marketing and helps technology & financial services companies powerfully convey their message. A storyteller at heart, Satta has a master's degree from Northwestern University's Medill School. When Jaretta isn't dealing with the craziness of dating apps, she works as a non-profit professional. She has a master's degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. 💛👩🏾👧🏾👩🏾‍🦰👩🏾‍🦱👱🏾‍♀️👸🏾👩🏾‍⚕️👩🏾‍🎓👩🏾‍🏫🧕🏾💛 Follow Sis, Please on these social media platforms: Instagram Twitter Tik Tok YouTube Have you had an experience that you would love to share in a safe space? Satta and Jaretta invite you to email them at team@sispodcast.com and tell them about it. They may even share your experience (you can remain anonymous) on an upcoming episode. If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and share this podcast with a friend. We all have a Sis that needs to be reminded their perspective is valuable. Song Credit: Bestie by Fiskayet This is a Crackers In Soup production.