Do they recognise how your experiences of racism may intersect with other parts of your identity? For example your gender, religion or sexuality.

Show them our information about how racism can affect mental health. It's your therapist's own responsibility to educate themselves about racism. But they may welcome new information. But often racist comments or actions are more subtle, and may not be intended to cause harm. This is often called covert racism or microaggressions. Not having enough money can have a negative effect on your health. This also contributes to people with first-hand experience of racism being under-represented in management jobs. Which makes it less likely that services will meet people's needs. Contribute to the pressure we feel to change or downplay parts of ourselves. This can include our hair, clothing, accent or even our skin. When society compels people in a minority to act like people in the majority, it's called assimilation. It can feel like we must 'fit in', to protect ourselves from racism.Interpersonal racism is when a person treats you poorly or unfairly because of your race. This might be colleagues, classmates, strangers, service staff, and even family members or friends. It can happen in person or online. At system level we can see the wider impact of the inequalities and power imbalances, for example those set up by colonialism. We see how these are maintained now in policy, law, economics, culture and wider society. And how this creates White privilege. How systemic racism can affect individuals

A system is something that is made up of lots of different connected parts. So systemic (or structural) racism describes how experiences of racism in many areas of life reinforce and fuel each other over time. Charities and local services. Some local services offer free or low-cost support. Hub of Hope lets you search for local services near you. You can also filter results using their 'BAME Support' tag. Mind's Infoline could also help you find appropriate local services. Make us feel cut off from parts of our identity and culture. This can leave us feeling unsure about who we are. Sometimes it's very obvious, with a clear intention to harm or offend. This is often called overt racism. It can include: Give it some time. It can take time to build trust. And some sessions may be more challenging than others.Covert racism can be much harder to identify and challenge than overt racism. Especially when other people deny it, downplay it or become defensive about it. Or if you have an ongoing relationship with the other person. Health problems can then further affect work and income. Work, study, money, housing and physical health are all connected to our mental health. This creates a vicious circle of disadvantage. Systemic racism and the pandemic It can mean the historical end of colonial rule. But it can also mean challenging the cultural dominance of Western ideas over others. It can mean breaking down the lasting impact colonialism has had on society. Do they take your experiences of racism seriously? For example, by being respectful and not downplaying or denying them. Unfortunately, not all therapists are confident talking about racism during therapy. This can happen even if they have had some cultural competence training.

Have they had any experience of supporting people with the effects of racism? You can ask them directly. A responsible therapist will answer your questions honestly and openly. Racism or racial bullying can be overt or openly hostile, such as being called racist names or being sent threats. We may experience racism and colourism from multiple groups. And we may hold privilege if we're assumed to be White in certain spaces. Racial discrimination or racism is when someone is treated differently because of their race, ethnicity, nationality or colour. Any type of racism or racial discrimination is abusive and distressing for children and young people who experience or witness it. Unwelcome, lonely or isolated. Especially if people or organisations have said or implied that you don't belong.Learning about race, racism and privilege can lead people to consider what else they can do to combat discrimination. Sometimes, the next step can involve committing yourself to becoming actively anti-racist but it’s not always clear what that means. But when people talk about being anti-racist, it includes: