The National Alliance on MENTAL Health says African Americans are 20% more likely to experience serious psychological distress than members of other racial groups. How should we approach the holidays if sadness, grief, or dysfunction are a part of our lives? How do we recognize and address the impact of unrealistic expectations? Carol Daniel sits down with therapist Candice Cox to discuss a few strategies for handling the holiday blues this year.

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Related Links

https://www.ninepbs.org/blogs/science/mental-wellbeing/

https://www.ccoxlcsw.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-candice-cox-lcsw-cctp-catp-9a852b8a

https://www.healthline.com/health/stress-and-black-women

https://news.llu.edu/health-wellness/cumulative-stress-african-american-men-may-contribute-prostate-cancer-health-disparity

https://www.counseling.org/publications/counseling-today-magazine/online-exclusives/article/aca-participates-in-congressional-hearing-on-the-mental-health-of-black-men-and-boys

Education in St. Louis’ urban community has suffered in recent years. The St. Louis NAACP has recently filed a complaint with the federal government to help address the literacy crisis that Black students are facing.

Private institutions in St. Louis City, like Marian Middle School, have been very successful in helping young Black girls beat the odds in education. Mary Elizabeth Grimes, President of Marian Middle, stops by to discuss why she loves what she does and the needs of Black youth today in the schools to move forward

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Related Links

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/education/st-louis-naacp-files-civil-rights-complaint-over-low-literacy-rates-among-black-students

https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/it-s-a-crisis-advocates-make-new-push-to-boost-literacy-in-st-louis-area/article_c42f86cf-83ea-553c-b37e-cb6879bf6f9c.html

Kevin Bryant is the Developer, Founder, and President of Kingsway Development LLC. He stops by to discuss the problems many Black neighborhoods face, such as vacant buildings and a lack of resources to maintain them. He has switched careers to address and do his part in solving this problem.

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Are we doing enough to address the mental health struggles in the black community? How did the pandemic do particular harm to black teens?

On this episode of Listen St. Louis with Carol Daniel, Jameca Woody Cooper, Ph.D. sits down with Carol to discuss how our youngest generations are doing post-pandemic.

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In a recent U.S. city safety report, it's stated that St. Louis' crime has seen a big decrease. After holding the top spot for over a decade it is no longer listed as one of the most dangerous cities in the country.

Many people have taken positions in the St. Louis City Government to make a change in Public Safety, and one of them stopped by to have a chat with us. Carol speaks with Gabe Gore, St. Louis Circuit Attorney.

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Studies show that trauma can affect a person's DNA and impact the health of generations far removed from the event(s). Experiences, learned behaviors, and biology all contribute to intergenerational trauma, and the impact can be seen for up to four generations after the event.

Cara Anthony of KFF Health News returns with Trauma & Crisis Therapist Dr. Lakesha Davis, M.D., to talk about how racial violence in the U.S. toward the Black community created a public health issue through the generation today.

What were your thoughts on this episode? Let us know at ninepbs.org/listenstlouis

Related Reading:

https://www.ignite-hope.com/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2023/06/12/generational-trauma-passed-healing/ https://kffhealthnews.org/silence-in-sikeston/

In 1942, a 26-year-old African-American man was removed from a Sikeston, Missouri jail and was lynched by a white mob. His name was Cleo Wright. A documentary and podcast series was created called Silence in Sikeston in partnership with KFF Health News, World Channel, Retro Report, and Local, USA to tell the story of the crime and recent incidents, what it's like to be Black in the Bootheel, and explore how racism has caused a public health issue in the Black Community.

KFF Health News reporter Cara Anthony stopped by to talk with Carol about the history of racial violence in the region and its effects of it and even shared a related personal story.

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What were your thoughts on this episode? Let us know at ninepbs.org/listenstlouis.

Related links

• https://kffhealthnews.org/silence-in-sikeston/
• https://www.pbs.org/video/local-usa-silence-in-sikeston-trailer/
• https://www.physiciansweekly.com/silence-in-sikeston-is-there-a-cure-for-racism/
• https://www.paramountplus.com/movies/lynching-postcards-token-of-a-great-day/hselCM7fYyRK6mazd5ooDmdhlYiMrNYH

The National Institute of Health says health inequities in the United States leave far too many people of color with higher rates of disease and disability including higher rates of untreated mental illness. Four years ago, two social workers founded, The Village Path, an organization in St Louis working to increase awareness, access, and acceptance of mental wellness for black men. Bryant Antoine and Jermar Perry stopped by to talk what mental well-being looks like for men in the Black Community.

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