COURAGEOUS FIRE Owner/Founder Courageous Fire, LLC Courgaeous Access How does domestic violence impact mental health particularly for Black Women Black women are looked at in our community as being smart, strong, spiritual women. Unfortunately, in our community only stupid, weak women get impacted by DV. Further, women who have a good spiritual relationship are able to handle their emotions and keep balance simply through their faith, and the indicator of not being "holy" enough is to need something other than faith for emotional/ mental wellbeing or balance. Therefore, there is a dread of being judged a failure as a Black woman to show the need for mental health support by utilizing mental health, so we don't. At the very least, many survivors are left with some form of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and flashbacks of different parts of the experience. That being said, a hormone called cortisol is released during moments when humans feel threatened by impending danger, also known as fight or flight. Domestic violence causes that hormone to be released whenever the victim is being threatened with abuse or being abused in one of the many types of abuse that exist; therefore, causing the abused individual to be exposed to long-term release of this hormone. Studies show long-term release of cortisol within the body has been known to cause chronic health conditions. Some of them shown in a specific study were depression, diabetes, stroke, cancer, and heart disease. The impact is always and has always been acknowledged but the secondary impact of unresolved trauma from the DV is literally claiming the lives of Black women. What steps does someone take to heal from the impact of domestic violence? Healing from the impact of DV is represented by layers of progress and is not a destination where a Sister should expect to "arrive". It is literally about learning how to acknowledge what you are facing after the violence - whatever mental, physical, and spiritual manifestations those may take - and getting each challenge to be something that is eliminated or able to be controlled. In other words, the key is achieving and maintaining balance. There are many ways to do that. As a survivor myself, I strongly recommend dialing into the spiritual core you possess - the spirituality that rings true to you - and let that lead you to the cultural supports available to help you achieve your individual balance. There are definitely more Black therapists here in Iowa than we believe, even in the country, and those links are at the end of this article. However, there are also many other nontraditional therapeutic ways to key into balance. o Meditation - many forms, use your spirituality to guide you to the type of meditation you find effective. o Guided affirmations - help remind you about the good in yourself, around you, and in your world o Aromatherapy - a little history here. Places to shop can be Amazon.com, ancientwaysdm.com o Exercise - not to lose weight, but to move in ways that authentically make you feel good when you do it o Mindfulness - slow, measured breathing, body scans, whole body relaxation 15 MAKE IT OK
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