Healing Resources

DIVERSITY • EQUITY • INCLUSION

Empowering Change in Our Community

Across the nation, people of all backgrounds are experiencing a time in which discussions about race, bigotry, and culture are at the forefront of their everyday lives. Many people tend to avoid these discussions because they fear the unknown and uncomfortable feelings that arise.

Simply put, the effect of racism and racial trauma on substance abuse is real and cannot be ignored. A study published by Purdue University about the links between racial mistreatment and substance abuse found that 90% of those surveyed reported daily discrimination. Beyond that, there is a large disparity in access to treatment for communities of color. Actionable steps need to be taken to change these facts.

NJPN realizes these are difficult times, and encourage you to check in with your loved ones and neighbors. To be mindful of their pain and any racial trauma, as you continue to provide support and care. We are providing a list of healing resources that can be useful for yourself, providers and anyone else as you see fit.

NJPN_Healing-Center_Healing-Racial-Traum

Healing Racial Trauma

NJPN_Healing-Center_Recommended-Reading.

Healing Racial Trauma

Discrimination and social pressures play a significant role in substance use within communities of color. Below are a variety of resources intended to help heal racial trauma.

Google Doc

White Mothers[b] (and Fathers & Parents): Please take some time to choose a strategy or two or twenty and engage this in your homes and places of influence. We thank you for fighting this fight with us.

"Raising a (White) Anti-Racist Kid Wisdom, Hopes, Dreams, & Wishes from Mothers (and those that love like mothers) of Color"

Website

Download The Ally + Accomplice Meditation for Cultivating an Anti-Racist Mindset

Center for Racial Healing

Article

Why is it important to talk with children about what happened to George Floyd and other incidents of police brutality or racism in the news.

George Floyd. Ahmaud Arbery. Breonna Taylor. What Do We Tell Our Children?

Website

In light of recent events, please find resources regarding help for racial and LGBTQ trauma and related issues.

Racial Trauma and Self-Care

Video

Watch a video titled, "Black Parents Explain How to Deal with the Police" by Cut

Speaking to Black Children on How to Deal With the Police

Resource Website

Your Kids Aren't Too Young to Talk About Race: Resource Roundup

Talking Race With Young Children

Guide

This is guide seems very helpful for how to talk about race. There are more resources at the bottom for people to peruse.

The 8 R’s of Talking About Race: How to Have Meaningful Conversations

Article

Article on Black Trauma and Showing Up at Work

Your Black Colleagues May Look Like They’re Okay — Chances Are They’re Not

Get Educated

Understanding the history of racial injustice and talking about it can be very difficult. Below are a variety of articles, videos, podcasts, and other resources which can provide insight on these important topics and help inspire actionable change.

Calendar

Understanding the history of racial injustice

A History of Racial Injustice (calendar)

Video

TEDx Talk

Allegories on Race and Racism by Camara Phyllis Jones (video)

Google Doc

This document is intended to serve as a resource to white people and parents to deepen our anti-racism work. If you haven’t engaged in anti-racism work in the past, start now. Feel free to circulate this document on social media and with your friends, family, and colleagues.

Anti-Racism Resources for White People

Website

Currently, Black Americans are at a higher risk of substance use disorders being characterized as a criminal issue rather than medical issue. In fact, the American Addiction Centers reported that even though “African Americans make up (only) 12.5% of illicit drug users,” a staggering 33% of those incarcerated for drugs are African American. The report also states that African American Americans are less likely to recover from drug and alcohol use even after treatment because our current recovery options are not set up to meet this particular population’s needs. Staffing is too white. Resources do not address the African American population’s unique life experiences or mental health needs.

Anti-Racism Work in Recovery Spaces

Video

TEDx Talk

How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Discussing Race by Jay Smooth (video)

Article

Ibram X. Kendi on books to help America transcend its racist heritage.

Ibram X. Kendi's Antiracist Reading List

Website

Data and Statistics

Mapping Police Violence

Website

This is website is “designed to support individuals and groups working to achieve racial equity. This site offers tools, research, tips, curricula, and ideas for people who want to increase their own understanding and to help those working toward justice at every level.”

Racial Equity Tools

Trainings + Resources

Trainings and Resource — Safe Black Space is creating opportunities for Black people to heal and thrive.

Safe Black Space

Google Doc

This guided resource is to help address certain phrases (e.g., “I don’t see color”) or viewpoints (e.g., “I can’t be racist because my husband/wife/child/etc. is black”) that can still perpetuate racist ideologies in spaces. There are activities, podcasts, videos, articles, and books to look at and read. There are also specific resources at the bottom for the Christian Community towards the end of the document.

Scaffolded Anti-Racist Resources

Article

Even with our supposed raising of consciousness, our hearts have yet to catch up to our minds.

The Empathy Crisis of White America by Phillip Picardi

Podcast

The Melanated Social Work Podcast is hosted by four men of color within the field of social work; Josh McNeil, Marvin Toliver, Michael Grinnell, and Jesse Wiltey. Join us as we discuss social work, mental health, politics, music, liberation and many other topics.

The Melanated Social Work Podcast

Article

Talking about race is hard. It often involves hurt feelings and misunderstandings. And the words and phrases we use can either push those conversations forward or bring them to a standstill. One such term: white tears.

When the 'White Tears' Keep Coming by Leah Donnella

Article

Dr. Robin DiAngelo explains why white people implode when talking about race.

White Fragility: Why It's So Hard to Talk to White People About Racism by Robin DiAngelo

PDF Document

"I was taught to see racism only in individual acts of meanness, not in invisible systems conferring
dominance on my group."

White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack by Peggy McIntosh

PDF Document

These sections are based on the work of Daniel Buford, a lead trainer with the People’s Institute
for Survival and Beyond who has done extensive research on white supremacy culture.

White Supremacy Culture by Tema Okun

Take Action

Steps need to be taken in order to close the gaps on the link between discrimination and substance abuse as well as the disparity of access to treatment in communities of color. Below you'll find guides, toolkits, action plans, and other resources on how to reduce hate and create a more equitable world.

Website

To get workplace diversity and inclusion right, you need to build a culture where everyone feels valued and heard.

6 Steps for Building an Inclusive Workplace

Article

Note this article is continually updated to ensure each item is accurate and needed today.

75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice by Corinne Shutack

Website

The ACLU dares to create a more perfect union — beyond one person, party, or side. Our mission is to realize this promise of the United States Constitution for all and expand the reach of its guarantees.

American Civil Liberties Union

Website

The increasingly diverse demographics of the United States and the rising share of educational and consequent financial capital possessed by people of color are beginning to force organizations across sectors to rethink models of success and how to ensure sustainability in the future.

Beyond Diversity: A Roadmap to Building an Inclusive Organization

Guide

The government of Canada recently made headlines for their blind hiring pilot project: removing candidates’ names before hiring managers review their applications.

Blind Hiring: A How-To Guide To Reduce Bias & Increase Diversity

Resource Website

The resources and tools in this section are intended to help groups create an action plan to reach racial equity goals, and to do so using more racially equitable processes – that is, ones that acknowledge systemic and individual privilege, racism and power.

Create an Action Plan for Racial Equity

Guide

This might be helpful for organizations to offer support for African American staff members and ways to make the organization more equitable for African American people.

How to Manage When Things Are Not Okay (And Haven’t Been for Centuries)

Website

CALL and write to your state legislators about racial justice-minded legislation.

Institutional Racism and the Social Work Profession: A Call to Action

Website

The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.

NAACP Website and Resources

Website

The Institute’s mission is to empower New Jersey residents to realize and achieve their full potential. Established in 1999 by Alan V. and Amy Lowenstein, the Institute is known for its dynamic and independent advocacy aimed at toppling load-bearing walls of structural inequality to create just, vibrant, and healthy communities.

New Jersey Institute for Social Justice

PDF Document