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A First-Hand Experience
Sagine Dominique,19, is a psychology major living in Maryland. She was raised by Haitian immigrant parents in a family of five. Olivier Jean, 22, is a part-time student and a full-time employee at the National Institute of Health in MD. He was also raised by Haitian parents in Maryland and Florida. Mental Health has been a big part of both of their lives since they were young.
These Haitian youths know first-hand the impact that mental health can have on your life. Watch their stories below.
NOTICING THE SYMPTOMS
HOW DID YOUR PARENTS REACT?
HOW DID YOUR PARENT'S REACTION MAKE YOU FEEL?
How did your parents reaction make you feel?
GOING TO THERAPY
Going to therapy
HOW DOES THE HAITIAN COMMUNITY DEAL WITH MENTAL HEALTH?
How does the Haitian community deal with mental health?
HAVE YOU EVER TALKED TO ANYONE IN YOUR RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY ABOUT YOUR MENTAL HEALTH?
Have you ever spoken to anyone in your religious community about it?
WHAT ARE SOME COMMENTS THAT YOU'VE HEARD WITHIN THE HAITIAN COMMUNITY? HAS ANYONE CALLED YOU CRAZY?
What are some comments that you've heard within the Haitian community?
IF YOU COULD GO BACK, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
Looking back
To understand mental health within the Haitian-American community, you must understand the history of mental health within the culture. Whether it’s trauma-induced or preexisting, the ignorance about mental health goes way beyond the current generation, way past our parents and their parents, doesn't matter if you were born in Haiti or born elsewhere, our entire culture actively works to downplay it.
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