📚 Scholar Spotlight: Clementina Jose Discussing Faith, Mental Health, and Cultural Identity

📝 Research Title:The Intersection of Faith, Mental Health, and Cultural Competency in Black and Brown Communities

🔍 Summary:In this powerful literature review, Clementina Jose explores how faith, mental health, and cultural identity are deeply intertwined in Black and Brown communities. Her research highlights how religious and spiritual practices are not only sources of personal resilience but also essential components of culturally responsive mental health care.

💡 Key Insights from the Paper:

• Spirituality is central to psychological well-being in Black and Brown communities, yet often overlooked in therapy.

• Faith-based coping like prayer, church involvement, and communal worship offer emotional strength and meaning, especially in the face of systemic adversity.

• Mental health professionals often lack cultural competency, creating a gap between clinical care and the lived experiences of clients.

• Culturally competent therapy must respect and integrate spiritual beliefs to be truly effective.

📣 Quote from the Paper:

“Faith helps individuals make meaning of their experiences, especially when faced with adversity, and offers a framework for navigating the complexities of life.”

📄 Type of Work:Literature Review | Submitted April 2025

To read the entire work submitted by Clementina Jose be sure to register for the Faith + Mental Health Hybrid Summit.

Register

Photo of Clementina Jose shared with permission (2025)