The Harmful Nature of Health Disparities and Breaking Down Barriers to Health Equity: A Q&A With Thrive’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee

Thrive • Apr 12, 2022

Thrive Therapists Casey Rollins, LMSW, CSW-Intern and Melanie Aparicio, MMFT offered their insights into how health disparities harm physical, mental, and behavioral health, as well as ways to work toward achieving health equity.

How would you define health disparities?

Health disparities are the differences in resources and care that different groups of individuals have access to due to social, economic, and environmental factors. These factors include public policies, racial biases, and sex and gender affiliation. — Casey

What are the implications of health disparities?

Health disparities can diminish one’s quality of life by contributing to poor mental, behavioral, and physical health. Many facing health disparities are underinsured or uninsured and as a result, lack access to appropriate health care. Health disparities can also be fatal, as research has linked an absence of adequate care and resources to premature deaths. — Melanie

What is health equity?

Health equity describes the goal of all individuals having fair and just access to becoming healthier. Health equity improves quality of life by providing individuals with access to treatment for their health concerns. — Casey

Why is health equity important, especially in regards to mental and behavioral health?

Health equity doesn’t just refer to physical health, but it also includes mental and behavioral health . Because mental and behavioral health impact overall well-being, we as a society need to develop a deeper appreciation of mental and behavioral health care and a fuller awareness of corresponding disparities, while also exploring ways to remove barriers to mental and behavioral health care. — Melanie

How can health equity be achieved?

Research has shown that social and economic challenges, low educational attainment, and exposure to violence can harm overall well-being and contribute to health inequities. These factors, largely associated with poverty and discrimination, need to be addressed to achieve health equity. — Casey

Health insurance is another barrier to achieving health equity, as it can create a gap in individuals’ accessibility to different forms of treatment. Exploring ways to make the health care marketplace fairer and more just can promote health equity. — Melanie

How does having a therapist who has a similar culture to your own help with healing?

Seeing a therapist who shares a similar cultural awareness with you can help deepen your relationship with your therapist, which is very important for your experience. Oftentimes, clients can feel isolated when therapeutic relationships lack the trust and safety associated with shared cultural understanding. — Casey

A PLACE TO GROW FOR ALL CULTURES, BACKGROUNDS, AND IDENTITIES

Thrive is passionate about offering equitable and accessible multicultural health services and many of Thrive’s therapists take a culturally-centered approach to treatment. As part of Thrive’s integrated approach, we care for the entire person. In doing so, we recognize how systematic discrimination has impacted and harmed many groups of people. At Thrive, you can expect compassionate treatment that doesn’t discriminate against anyone in regard to their race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, physical or mental disability, gender, gender identity and gender expression. Reach out to learn more about our therapeutic services.

About the Contributors

Thrive Reno Therapist Casey Rollins, LMSW, CSW-Intern

Casey Rollins, LMSW, CSW-Intern, received her bachelor’s degree in psychology with an emphasis in addiction treatment services at the University of Nevada, Reno. She went on to receive her masters degree from Simmons University in Social Work. Casey has experience working with veterans, children with neuro developmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder, eating disorders, anxiety disorders, and behavioral issues. Casey is passionate about working with individuals in helping them to understand that rewriting their story is possible. She believes that we, whether individually, or collectively, are allowed to begin anew at any point along our journey in life. Casey is also dedicated to the treatment and advocacy of the impacts of systemic and interpersonal trauma for Black youth as well as all People of Color. She believes this journey of healing is yours, whenever you are ready, you are welcomed with fierce compassion. Casey sets forth interactions with others with the phenomenal and late Maya Angelou in mind, “just like moons and like suns, with the certainty of tides, just like hopes springing high, still I rise.”

In her free time, Casey enjoys spending time with family and friends, creating artwork, writing poetry, jamming out to music at any given moment, spending time connecting in nature, and is a self proclaimed movie buff.

Thrive Reno Therapist Melanie Aparicio, MMFT

Melanie Aparicio earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in Spanish from the University of Nevada, Reno before earning her master’s degree in marriage and family therapy (MMFT) at Capella University.

As a therapist at Thrive Wellness Reno, Melanie specializes in working with adolescents and young adults who are struggling with mental health issues, individuals with eating disorders, and clients experiencing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs). She is particularly passionate about creating a comfortable environment in which she can join her clients in walking on a path towards healing and growth. As an advocate for breaking down barriers and negative stigmas about mental health within the BIPOC community, she strives to provide psycho-education on the positive impacts that prioritizing mental health can have on individuals and communities.

Outside of her mission-driven work, Melanie enjoys watching sports such as football and baseball. She also finds peace and joy in caring for plants at home and at the office.

The post The Harmful Nature of Health Disparities and Breaking Down Barriers to Health Equity: A Q&A With Thrive’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee first appeared on Thrive Wellness.

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Clean House, Healthy Mind: Spring Cleaning Benefits for Mental Health

By Sage Tippie • 23 Apr, 2024

Spring Cleaning Benefits for Mental Health Spring is a time of new beginnings, change, and transitions, including in our homes. With the warmer weather kicking motivation into high gear, Spring can be a prime time to do a deep clean. Not only is a clean space aesthetically pleasing to the eyes, but it can also help to improve your mental health. Learn about how tidying up your space can also tidy up your thoughts below along with tips for cleaning when you’re struggling with your mental health. 4 Reasons Why Cleaning is Beneficial to Mental health 1.Decreased Stress Not only does an uncluttered space provide a sense of calm, but the physical act of cleaning can release feel-good endorphins, reducing feelings of stress and anxiety. As you cross tasks off your checklist, your body also releases Dopamine. Also known as the “happy hormone”, Dopamine provides a sense of accomplishment and pride that can promote motivation in other areas of our lives. 2. Improved Focus Studies have shown that an uncluttered space can also lead to an uncluttered mind. Your focus can be drawn away from important tasks by a chaotic, messy space. Research has also shown a connection between procrastination and clutter, as an unwillingness to tackle larger chores like cleaning can translate over into various areas of our lives. By keeping your space tidy, it can inspire you to stay on top of other major tasks like work and school assignments. 3. Regulated Emotions According to this 2015 study , cleaning can function as a practice in mindfulness, providing an increased sense of calm and inspiration. Slowing down while cleaning gives you room to relax and free your mind of burdens, stressors, and irritants that can affect your mental health. Cleaning can even be considered a practice of self-care as the action helps you to connect with yourself and the outcome allows you to better enjoy your own space. 4. Sense of Order and Control When experiencing mental health struggles, people may feel a lack of control over their lives and emotions. Cleaning even small areas of the home can provide an increased sense of order and control as you cross tasks off your to-do list. Through realizing your own power by simply completing minor tasks like cleaning, it can reaffirm your ability to do more. 10 Tips for Cleaning When Struggling with Mental Health Mental health struggles and disorders commonly create barriers to one’s ability to clean and properly practice personal hygiene. Although these behaviors are normal side effects of mental health disorders, we want to work to aid our clients in cleaning to the best of their ability even in difficult times. Below, Thrive Wellness occupational therapist Meadow Deason shares some helpful tips she gives to clients when they struggle with cleaning due to mental health conditions: 1.Ask For Help Having support to clean can make a huge difference. Do the cleaning with the person helping you and have them hold you accountable. 2. Don't Wait for Motivation Motivation might not come before action, but it can build as you begin to see the results of your efforts. 3. Start Small Start with one area or one task and go from there. For example, concentrate on your bedroom first and then move on to the living room and bathroom. 4. Do Something Daily Even if you do only one small cleaning task a day, doing that one task creates momentum and prevents small tasks from building up and becoming overwhelming. 5. Use Sensory Modulation Change your environment by playing music, adjusting the lighting, or using aromatherapy. This can help to put you in a new headspace for cleaning. 6. Start with "High Impact" Tasks Start with more intensive or all-over cleaning tasks such as picking up clutter or doing the dishes. The visual "noise" of some tasks makes a large impact on the entire space, building motivation to continue cleaning. 7. Make a To-Do List Write a detailed to-do list of tasks and cross them off as you go. Physically marking down what you’ve accomplished can promote increased motivation. 8. Reward Yourself Set up a reward system where you reward yourself with a favorite activity or item when you complete a task as an incentive to clean. 9. Use the Rocket Method Don't think about it, just choose a task, countdown from five or ten and then start. This can help you to avoid potential anxiety and dread that can prevent you from cleaning. 10. Gamify Tasks Make up a game for your tasks or time yourself to promote increased engagement in cleaning. Your ability to complete tasks can be affected by a multitude of different factors and conditions including OCD , anxiety, depression , ADHD , and more. If you are struggling with motivation due to your mental health, help is here at Thrive Wellness.

child getting bandaid from doctor while mother smiles

The Importance of Whole Family Primary Care: A Q&A with Dr. Stephanie Wright

26 Mar, 2024

By serving the whole family, physicians are able to have a better understanding of family dynamics, family health care goals, and history of disease in the family.