Heath studies resilience in children, teens and young adults and recommends four key resilience-building strategies parents can use during difficult times:
Take a pause or a break. This can mean any non-work-related activity that distracts you or your child. These could include in-the-moment breathing techniques or mindfulness strategies, as well as things like hobbies, outings and other activities.
Enhance positive emotions. Heath said we focus too much on trying to decrease negative emotions, which is very hard to do. So focus on positive things, however brief. A first sip of coffee for parents, a cuddle with a pet for kids.
The most common microaggression that I feel like Black people talk about is the hair, petting the hair and Oh I can t believe it feels like this , Welch said. We have so many of our youth talk about they still have teachers say to them, You re smart for a Black person . Rocking your natural hair
Welch, an entrepreneur who overcame her own struggle with depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts, self-published a best-selling book on Amazon:
Breakthrough: A Courageous True Story of Overcoming Depression and Anxiety.
She highlights the pressures Black women feel whether it s being a good spouse, parent and career woman; fulfilling family expectations; sexual trauma and body image; or concerns about coming across as the angry Black woman or rocking your natural hair.