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What's going on? The depression that many people in the Black community suffer from also includes some of the characteristics of their having been traumatized. Their condition does not fit neatly the DSM-V clinical definition of depression or the diagnosis of PTSD, but they have some aspects of both while yet appearing to function reasonably well on a daily basis. More research is needed in order to further gain a deeper understanding of how stress, depression, and the effects of trauma and PTSD-like symptoms may manifest themselves in the everyday lives of African Americans. The social work profession and the African American religious community can collaborate addressing how African Americans are experiencing trauma. This article relies upon qualitative methodologies, such as participatory inquiry, interviews, and professional observations. It is the hope that these observations and theoretical propositions will further suggest developing a social work research and practice agenda in collaboration with African American religious leaders and churches.
Keywords: Trauma-informed, ministry, African American
OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS I HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT workshops on the relationship between spirituality and coping with traumatic experiences. At religious conferences I have addressed the need for religious leaders and care givers to explore developing or enhancing a trauma-informed practice of ministry. I am not surprised, as a clinical social worker, to hear client narratives of traumatic experiences that motivated them to consult me for professional services. However, what I have noticed when providing pastoral counseling as a minister and among the religious audiences to whom I have spoken is an increase in the number of people who share with me their traumatic narratives. Sometimes their traumatic narrative is a part of the client-identified presenting problem, but often the person sitting in front of me is not aware of any connection between the trauma they have experienced and the quality of their current emotional and spiritual life. Some of them have never discussed their traumatic experience with anyone before. They report being stigmatized by their family, church community, or health care provider as having a "mental health" problem and/or are frightened to admit to themselves that they are affected by the traumatic experience. There seems to be a great number of people in emotional pain and this...