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We continue to want to amplify the need to specify the role of racism in various systems, including the mental health field. This statement has been shifted to reflect the changing dynamics and identities of the MN Therapies team, but the sentiment remains. Additionally, part of the statement has been used in our declaration of values. October 2024 This is the initial version of the MN Therapies Position Statement from July 2020 and then updated in Dec 2023
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At MN Therapies, we believe that Black Lives Matter. As a practice made up of mental health professionals, we are committed to creating a more liberated and anti-oppressive world. Now more than ever, we believe it is crucial to specifically affirm the worth and value of Black lives, and to demonstrate antiracism in our daily work. We acknowledge that the mental health field has both exploited and ignored the mental health needs of Black, non-white folks throughout its history. At MN Therapies, we believe that Black Lives Matter. As a practice made up of social workers, we are committed to creating a more liberated and anti-oppressive world. Now more than ever, we believe it is crucial to specifically affirm the worth and value of Black lives, and to demonstrate antiracism in our daily work. We acknowledge that the mental health field has both exploited and ignored the mental health needs of Black, non-white folks throughout its history.
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The mental health field, and Social Work, specifically, has a complex history of being predominately white and steeped in white saviorism. We acknowledge that challenging, correcting, and unlearning these systems of oppression have fallen largely to Black and non-white people. We know that American culture and standards have been built upon white supremacy and we have significant work to do in unlearning some of the toxic and racist beliefs we have been explicitly and implicitly taught.Social Work specifically has a complex history of being predominately white and steeped in white saviorism. We also acknowledge that challenging, correcting, and unlearning these systems of oppression have fallen largely to Black and non-white people. As a practice of all white clinicians, we know that American culture and standards have been built upon white supremacy and we have significant work to do in unlearning some of the toxic and racist beliefs we have been explicitly and implicitly taught.
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We are devoted to working against discrimination in any form it may take, including racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, anti-Semitism, xenophobia, fatphobia, whorephobia, and ableism. We stand firm in our pledge to actively promote values of inclusivity, equity, and cultural humility. Specifically:We are devoted to working against discrimination in any form it may take, including racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, religious discrimination, xenophobia, fatphobia, whorephobia, and ableism. We stand firm in our pledge to actively promote values of inclusivity, equity, and cultural humility. Specifically:
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1. Ongoing unlearning: each member of our team commits to completing at least one anti-racist training each licensure cycle, paid for by MN Therapies. 1. Ongoing unlearning: each member of our team commits to completing at least one anti-racist training a year.
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2. Designated inner-practice evaluation and reflection space: we will regularly incorporate reflections on whiteness, white supremacy, and our efforts to become more anti-racist in our weekly consults. We will have a quarterly didactic to specifically examine this topic. BIPOC team members may participate and/or have their own dedicated space to uplift and process their experience in relationship to race. 2. Designated inner-practice evaluation and reflection space: we will regularly incorporate reflections on whiteness, white supremacy, and our efforts to become more anti-racist in our weekly consults. We will have a quarterly didactic to specifically examine this topic.
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3. Accountability: We will hold accountability at the forefront of our practice work (consults, supervision, didactics) while also having supports outside of MN Therapies to continue to push us through discomfort and facilitate change.3. Accountability: We will all have an antiracist accountability partner or support circle in and out of MN Therapies to continue to push us through discomfort and facilitate change.
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4. MN Therapies will donate yearly to one or more organizations, ideally BIPOC led, that supports marginalized communities; their mental health, reproductive rights, and sexuality.4. MN Therapies will donate yearly to one or more organizations, ideally BIPOC led, that supports marginalized communities; their mental health, reproductive rights, and sexuality.
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5. MN Therapies will investigate ways to make the practice and workplace safer and more welcoming to BIPOC professionals and patients.5. MN Therapies will investigate ways to make the practice and workplace safer and more welcoming to BIPOC professionals and patients.
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