GRAND Magazine - Summer 2024 - 26

grandfamilies
Shining a light: Supporting BIPOC grandfamilies
and kinship families' mental health
BY JAMARL D. CLARK
G
randparents, your wisdom and unwavering love lay the
foundation for strong families and thriving communities.
You understand the deep impact of being truly seen
and valued, knowing these connections are essential for your
mental health and overall well-being. Imagine, then, the unique
challenges and triumphs of being a grandparent within the
Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities.
Despite their huge contributions, BIPOC communities often go
unrecognized, particularly in the realm of mental health and
wellness. That's why July is dedicated to BIPOC Mental Health
Month, shining a light on the vital importance of mental health in
these communities.
"
Grandparents, BIPOC grandfamilies
and kinship families deserve to be
seen, valued, and supported in their
journey toward thriving mental
health and wellness.
parent. These families come from all walks of life, with diverse
incomes and backgrounds. However, they are more often from
Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, and
Latino communities.
Opening the Door to Support
"
Across the country, about 2.4 million children live in grandfamilies
and kinship families. They are cared for by grandparents,
aunts, uncles, siblings, or other relatives because their
parents were unable to do so. Additionally, approximately 7.6
million children live in households led by a relative who isn't their
26 GRAND Summer 2024
Consider Mercedes from Texas, who is 68-year-old and
raising her grandkids. She said, " I had to jump through hoops
in the system four times just to get help... It really got me
down. " In her Latino community, talking about mental health
is considered unacceptable. People fear judgment or being
seen as weak, leading to a lack of awareness and support.
This stigma, rooted in cultural beliefs of resilience and selfreliance,
frames seeking mental health support as a personal
failure or family shame. Consequently, many avoid discussing
their struggles or seeking help, worsening their mental health.
Additionally, mistrust of healthcare providers due to past
mistreatment, lack of culturally competent care, and cultural
pressures to rely on religious practices further prevent access
to mental health support.
Financial challenges are also a major hurdle faced by these
communities. Many grandfamilies and kinship families are on
fixed incomes and dealing with the extra expenses of raising
kids. Therapy can be expensive, and when you're choosing
between paying bills, buying groceries, covering the cost of
medication, affording childcare, paying the mortgage, and
paying for diapers and formula or getting mental health support,
it's a tough call. Dr. Deborah Langosch, an expert in
working with grandfamilies and kinship families who contributed
to Generations United's 2023 State of the Grandfamilies
report, highlights a growing prevalence of anxiety, depression,
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and social isolation
among these families. The shortage of culturally competent
mental health professionals further hinders effective
support. Addressing these challenges early is essential, as
delayed treatment can have serious consequences. Tailoring
mental health support to respect and understand BIPOC
cultural backgrounds is crucial for fostering trust, improving
outcomes, and building community resilience.
Continued on next page

https://www.facebook.com/GRANDmagazine https://mhanational.org/bipoc/mental-health-month https://www.gu.org/app/uploads/2023/11/GU_2023-Grandfamilies-FullReport-FINAL.pdf https://www.gu.org/resources/building-resilience-grandfamilies-mental-health-and-wellness/ https://www.gu.org/app/uploads/2023/11/GU_2023-Grandfamilies-FullReport-FINAL.pdf https://www.gu.org/resources/building-resilience-grandfamilies-mental-health-and-wellness/ https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd

GRAND Magazine - Summer 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of GRAND Magazine - Summer 2024