Even More Influential Women in the Mental Health Field

                   Today I continue sharing the stories of influential women in the mental health field. I believe it is important as woman, an individual with mental illness, and a mental health advocate for me to share the accomplishments of these women. That is why I have dedicated posts to their stories. I have been appalled by the current administration’s diminishing of women. I am also aware of their attempts to reduce mental health diagnoses and treatment. (More on that in a future post. I just need to spend some time researching first.). So, I will continue to post about women’s contributions to mental health. I am dedicating the month of March to talking about these amazing women. It is my hope that people will read and share these posts. I realize I have a small audience, but I can still do my part. If you are reading this, please help me by sharing with at least one person. Together we can make a difference.

                  

Martha E. Bernal (1931-2001)

“However critical I might be of this country, I have felt grateful for the opportunities of which I availed myself.”

 

                  Martha E. Bernal was the daughter of Mexican immigrants. She was the first Latina to receive a doctorate degree in psychology in the United States. She faced discrimination based on being female when she searched for a position after earning her PhD. That did not stop her. She made contributions in the area of learning theory and the methods of treatment and assessment of children with behavior problems.

                  She also helped advance multicultural psychology. Her work helped bring an understanding of the importance of diversity in training, recruitment, and research. In the 1970s she worked to ensure that students of color had the opportunity to receive graduate training. She drew attention to the lack of ethnic minority psychologists. She offered steps to improve this. 

                  Bernal helped establish the National Hispanic Psychological Association. She served as this group’s second president. 

                  The “Martha Bernal Scholarship Fund was established at Arizona State University to honor her commitment to advancing scholars of color. 

 

E. Kitch Childs (1937-1993)

“We must generate a systematic method for conflict resolution so as to lose none of the power of our anger in useless wheel spinning…By doing so we may amplify and augment sisterly cooperation, understanding and in the meantime enhance our self-empowerment.”

 

                  E. Kitch Childs was a clinical psychologist. Through her work she advocated for marginalized women, sex workers, and the LGBTQ+ community. She was the first African American woman to earn a PhD in human development from the University of Chicago. 
                  Childs was very aware of the lack of organized research into the psychology of women. A great deal of her work was focused on feminist therapy. She helped found Chicago’s Gay Liberation Front. Childs provided therapy for the LGBTQ+ community, especially those with AIDS.

                  E. Kitch Childs was recognized for her work to change the American Psychiatric Association’s position on homosexuality, which had listed it as a psychological disorder. 

                  She tailored her approach with clients to meet their specific needs. Often her approach went beyond traditional therapeutic practices. Her clients included the most marginalized and poorest people. She offered sliding scale fees and free services to those who needed it. Childs also offered group therapy that was focused on community-building. Childs used her professional expertise and her own experiences with discrimination to build up communities.

 

                  Bernal and Childs are examples of women who made a difference in not only the field of mental health, but also for people who are the most marginalized. Their work showed that all people matter. The mental health of all regardless of race, gender, and socio-economic status should be valued and cared for. The work of Bernal and Childs are examples of what we should be focusing on as nation.