Alecia Greenlee MD, MPH

BIPOC Mental Health Matters

Finding the right psychiatrist or therapist to share your mental health journey with can be a daunting task. If you have made it to this page, you have already accomplished the first two steps, recognizing you need help and starting the process to find the right fit.

For BIPOC communities there can be more hurdles to overcome. The cultural stigma surrounding mental health treatment can be a significant barrier. This barrier too often leads to delayed care or no care at all. Working in the emergency room, I have cared for many whose lives had to completely unravel before they received treatment. It’s an unfortunate fact that Black women have higher rates of perinatal mood disorders, such as postpartum anxiety and depression.  Despite this, they are less likely to be identified as needing or receiving treatment. The larger healthcare system is failing these women and their babies. At Bloom and Build, we are centering the maternal mental health and well-being of BIPOC women and families.

Finding a provider whom you feel safe with regarding your gender or cultural background can be very hard. Did you know only 2% of psychiatrists self-identify as Black or African American? This is specifically important to BIPOC people who have experienced racial trauma and don't want the added burden of educating their providers. Studies also show that BIPOC patients are often misdiagnosed and given medications that can be overly sedating or cause other side effects. Many of the patients I work with, no matter their cultural background, often comment on how well-informed they feel about treatment options even after their first visit.

Bloom & Build Integrative Psychiatry was created out of the realization that the BIPOC community deserves to have superb care that offers a holistic approach to mental health that is inclusive of multiple treatment modalities. Maybe you aren’t sure what you need at this point. Is it medication, nutraceuticals, or therapy? No matter what we decide, you should know that your needs and goals matter here. In our work, we'll navigate the intricate webs of relational trauma, breaking cycles that have echoed through generations and impacting how you show up in your world.

The wounds of mental illness are often invisible, we know the impact can manifest as physical illnesses. This knowledge led to my fellowship training in consultation-liaison psychiatry, working with hospitalized medically ill patients. If your preference is to minimize the use of medication, we will be able to explore if holistic treatment would benefit you. While my expertise guides our journey, your experiences and insights are the compass.

If you need a psychiatrist or therapist, then consider booking a phone consultation to get started on our work together.