Even though Freeman’s daughter was diagnosed with a mental health disability while in middle school, Freeman explained that her daughter struggled with mental health events as early as preschool
and kindergarten.
“It started (during her time in preschool) at a private Christian school. She would have crying spells with severe emotional dysregulation and was made to sit in the hallway alone because her teacher and the principal said she was being ‘too disruptive’ (during class and group time),” said Freeman.
Freeman added that one of the many challenges of getting her daughter the support needed was due to the difficulty of finding a culturally responsive mental health provider. Freeman also mentioned that finding appropriate services at an affordable cost and within a reasonable distance from her residential was also difficult.
“Trying to find a therapist of color who accepted our health insurance was extremely challenging; especially someone who saw young kids,” said Freeman.
Though some schools within Minnesota have qualified staff and effective resources for students with mental health disabilities, many schools do not have such support. Given this, Freeman encourages child welfare workers to research culturally responsive mental health providers throughout the state of Minnesota and share that information, along with other resources, with families on their caseload.
“The agency that my daughter first received services from did not have a therapist of color available,” said Freeman.
“Almost a year later, my daughter started therapy at a different agency that offered providers of color. The new therapist was pre-licensed and came recommended by a respected clinical supervisor. Both the therapist and the supervisor were women of color, which gave me and my daughter a sense of comfort, trust, and willingness to engage in therapy sessions.”
While Freeman gives tremendous credit to the professionals and resources that helped her daughter, Freeman also encourages child welfare workers and parents to advocate for more culturally responsive mental health providers as well as more mental health support systems for youth and families throughout Minnesota.
For more information about supporting children and families with mental health disabilities, as well as how to find culturally responsive resources, please consider contacting staff at MNCWTA via idi@mnchildwelfaretraining.com.
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