DR. MARGARET LARKINS-PETTIGREW
As February comes to an end and we wrap-up another monthlong celebration of Black excellence-the many contributions of Black people to this country as well as the achievements of some of our greatest heroes, known and unknown; it is important that we remember this year’s theme, ‘Black Health and Wellness’, chosen by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, not just this month, but all year-long.
With all that Black people are dealing with—the COVID pandemic, racism, fighting against injustices and disparities, just to name a few—it’s enough to make you want to holler, as so eloquently pointed out by Marvin Gaye and author Nathan McCall in their works of art. Our health and wellness, whether it be physical or mental, is under attack.
Recently, I spoke with three professionals, from the Pittsburgh area, on the importance of Black people maintaining good health and wellness, especially in today’s climate, and tips for how one can go about it.
Before getting into the importance of health and wellness, first, it is important to identify their meanings. According to Stephanie Murdock of Sanford OccMed, a company that provides occupational health services to companies to support people in the workplace, to ensure their health and safety, “health refers to a state where the physical body is free from disease, while wellness refers to an overall balance of a person’s physical, social, spiritual, emotional, intellectual, environmental and occupational well-being.” Wellness has a direct influence on one’s overall health.
DR. TRACEY CONTI
While health and wellness are different, they are connected and Dr. Tracey Conti, chair of the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and UPMC, believes that not having good health and wellness can affect every single aspect of somebody’s life.”
Like Conti, Dr. Margaret Larkins-Pettigrew, vice president and chief clinical diversity officer for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Highmark Allegheny Health Network, says that good health is important; it ensures that people are able to not only take care of themselves, but their families and allows them to leave a legacy. She also says it’s important to make sure we are taking care of ourselves and being accountable for our own healthcare, but that we are, also, engaging in healthcare systems that are taking care of us, in a fair and just way.
It is no secret that there is a huge distrust, and for some, a fear, among Blacks when it comes to the healthcare systems. Historically, there have been many incidents of medical injustices—from the horrific Tuskegee Experiment, to high Black maternal mortality rates, and people of color, just not receiving the same quality of healthcare as their White counterparts. But in order to properly take care of our health, we must overcome it…I know, it is easier said than done.
A key component to maintaining good health, Conti says, is the patient/physician relationship. As patients, she says, people have to be empowered to seek trusted physicians. “Without a good physician/patient relationship, as the foundation, you’re not going to be able to trust what the physician is saying, to implement it; you’re not going to be able to hear because all you’re thinking about is does this person have my best interest at heart.” She suggests that if a person feels that they are not getting adequate care, be empowered to go somewhere else.
As physicians, Conti says that there needs to be a measurement of trust. “We look at so many things from a quality perspective-even patient satisfaction…but we never look at ourselves and say, are we looked at as trusted individuals in the community?” She says, it has to be valued and looked at as a measurement of quality and success.
In addition to us, as patients, playing our part, with regards to our health, it’s important for healthcare systems to do theirs. Larkins-Pettigrew says that means healthcare systems embracing that there is a validation for the distrust, addressing it and that they “must be held accountable for the partnerships that they offer to each one of us, individually, and then to each one of us, collectively, as a community, with the intention of making sure we have individuals living in healthy, productive communities.”
Conti believes that problems cannot be solved within just the four walls of an office or hospital, that it takes getting out and listening to the community, and being able to respond in the appropriate manner. She says health systems cannot building something and then implement it in the community; the community has to be involved from the beginning. She praises UPMC for its work in the community and addressing their needs.
While we all have our parts, when discussing wellness, Larkins-Pettigrew says it has to be about total comprehensive wellness in our lives, which she says is not just about paying attention to our physical wellness, but also our social, financial, environmental and mental wellness.
ERICA GIVNER, LCSW
While physical health is a key component to maintaining wellness, so is mental health. According to Erica Givner, LCSW, EMDR certified, owner of Vision Towards Peace Counseling Services and lead clinician, people cannot function, properly, without addressing their mental health. “Everything is connected,” she says. “It takes a brave soul to slow down and pay attention to yourself.” She adds that we, as a community, are experiencing a lot of traumas and grief, especially with regards to COVID and the pandemic. People are not only coping with physical losses, but emotional ones, too.
Everyday Health’s website, states that Black Americans are more likely to experience anxiety, depression and other symptoms of emotional distress, than White Americans; yet, they are less likely to receive treatment. Although reasons for lack of treatment can be attributed to obstacles, such as a lack of access to mental health resources, one huge deterrent is the stigma, in the Black community, that remains around mental health.
When asked about the stigma that exists, Givner says, “we are rooted in ‘what goes on in this house, stays in this house’” and until that mindset is shifted, the stigma will remain. She added that it will stay there because the system has not changed when it comes to racism and oppression.
In order to break the stigma, Givner says it takes therapists being transparent and people being willing to acknowledge that there is an issue and address it. “Be brave and tell your truth, honor yourself,” Givner says. She adds that bravery is a part of looking at all of you, examining yourself, acknowledging something is going on and reaching out.
For maintaining one’s mental wellness, Givner warns of turning to non-professionals, such as friends and family members, for help. She explains, “a lot of people aren’t well,” even though they may appear to be, and they can only give what they know how to give. Additionally, she encourages finding a good therapist (if there is a waitlist, she urges getting on it) or subscribing to a “TRUSTED” mental health page; if needed, taking proper medications; but, most importantly, not being ashamed of seeking help. She also suggests creating boundaries when necessary, which Dr. Larkins-Pettigrew, also, says is important.
“Love yourself, value yourself and if you do that, you’re going to take care of yourself,” says Larkins-Pettigrew. “Once you do that, you’ll feel much better and feel empowered to take care of your families, and communities, and make a significant contribution.”
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