Have you ever stopped to reflect on the consequences of racism? Often, people see racism as a social problem involving injustices, prejudice, and discrimination. However, the consequences of racism go far beyond, directly and profoundly affecting the physical and mental health of racialized people.

Understanding the consequences of racism requires a keen eye for the intricate details and complexities hidden behind a reality often neglected or minimized. And that is the invitation we extend to you today: shall we dive together into this urgent and necessary topic?

Throughout this article, we go beyond superficial understanding, diving deeper into the sea of consequences for health, social and professional opportunities, and why racism has become a concerning public health issue.

To further enrich our discussion, we will address the role that clinical hypnosis has played in attending to the mental health of victims of racism, and how health professionals could benefit from learning this resource.

Racism and its Manifestations: Initial Understanding

Interpreting racism and its manifestations as merely a difference of opinion is misleading and harmful. It is an evil that goes beyond rational intellectual discussions, as it is deeply rooted in our societies, operating in the collective subconscious. Far beyond verbal insults and direct physical violence, racism can take subtle and institutionalized forms, becoming a permanent burden that people of color carry with them. This is a reality we can no longer ignore.

Asking oneself: “How can something as basic as skin color cause so much harm and division?” Sheds light on ingrained prejudices and stereotypes that may be imperceptible at first glance, but are ultimately composed of personal discriminatory attitudes. This persistent intolerance generates systemic inequalities and dehumanizes racialized groups, undermining their dignity and self-esteem

• Cultural degradation: Manifestations of racism devalue and belittle the traditions, languages, and cultural practices of racialized groups.
• Economic inequality: Destroys economic opportunities, restricting social mobility and keeping victims of racism in cycles of poverty and disadvantage.
• Political marginalization: Prevents full engagement in society, limiting political representation and presence in decision-making spaces.

To address the consequences of racism, we need to confront and deconstruct racial prejudices, challenging the power dynamics that allow this unacceptable form of discrimination to persist.

Understand How Racism Impacts Mental and Physical Health

Racism causes devastating consequences, affecting not only the psychological but also the physical aspects of an individual. Over time, the constant stress caused by discriminatory situations can develop psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. This occurs due to the excessive release of cortisol, the stress hormone, which in large quantities can unbalance the body.

The impact is not limited to the mental realm. The release of cortisol can trigger problems such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and even reduce the life expectancy of discrimination victims. This impact on physical health is often ignored, as many people still see racism as a social problem, not a public health issue.

It is also important to highlight the difficulty in accessing quality health services, which is often limited to the black and peripheral population due to socioeconomic issues. Therefore, the need for initiatives that promote the well-being and mental health of these populations is evident, combating the psychic traumas caused by racial prejudice.

It is also worth remembering that the very pain of exclusion can exacerbate other health conditions. The feeling of inferiority and lack of protection instigated by racism results in a true collapse of the immune system, increasing susceptibility to various diseases.

Given all these impacts, it is clear that the consequences of racism go far beyond direct physical violence: they are accumulated damages that manifest in the body and mind of the victims, reinforcing the importance of combating racism in all its forms.

How Racism Influences Social and Professional Opportunities

The consequences of racism are profound and affect the life trajectory of those who suffer from it. Frequently, these consequences are seen in the reduction of social and professional opportunities for victims of racial discrimination. Unfortunately, this is a reality in Brazil, where racial disparity is pronounced.

In employment, racial prejudice limits professional advancement, becoming an obstacle to growth and development. With fewer promotion opportunities, many black professionals end up stagnating or, in some cases, occupying positions lower than those they are qualified to hold.

In terms of education, racism can be a barrier to accessing the best schools and universities. Additionally, racial bullying in the school environment can lead to poor academic performance and, ultimately, school dropout.

Socially speaking, the prevalence of racism can lead to isolation, as many people of color do not feel welcomed or accepted in certain social circles. This can lead to feelings of rejection, loneliness, and low self-esteem.

Overcoming these obstacles involves recognizing racism and actively combating prejudice. Dialogue, education, and inclusion policies are crucial to changing this reality. It is in this context that clinical hypnosis can assist, but that is a topic for a subsequent subtitle.

Why Racism is a Public Health Issue

When considering the consequences of racism, we understand that this is a complex public health issue. Structural racism not only limits access to quality healthcare but also contributes to health disparities.

We observe that racial injustices result in increased stress and anxiety. Such conditions, caused by daily experiences with prejudice, cultural hegemony, and socioeconomic inequalities, trigger a range of health problems, from heart diseases to mental health disorders.

But why is racism a public health issue?

Systemic racism causes deep psychological and emotional stress, which manifests as physical health problems. These are the painful consequences of racism. Repeated discrimination can cause hypertension, insomnia, and even depression.

Furthermore, racial stigma and discrimination can lead to high-risk behaviors, such as substance abuse, resulting in a variety of health problems.

There is also a significant concern that racism, by creating barriers to healthcare access, is exacerbating disparities in the quality of medical care among different ethnic groups.

We conclude, therefore, that it is crucial for the public health system to treat racism as an emergency issue to minimize its severe consequences.

Improving Awareness, Combating Racism

Confronting the consequences of racism is a process that requires our determination and constant awareness. This goes beyond simply declaring that we are not racist; it demands proactive action to be anti-racist. We understand that this fight is not won in a single act but in a daily and constant battle.

Expanding Understanding and Empathy

The first step is to continuously educate ourselves about racism and its history. This allows us to better understand the systemic structures that perpetuate racial inequality and thus dismantle them. Understanding leads us to have more empathy for people who have suffered the disadvantages of these unjust systems.

Incorporating New Habits and Attitudes

Secondly, we present the importance of individual transformation. Examining and questioning our personal prejudices, admitting them, is the first step toward change. Consequently, we will incorporate new attitudes and habits that challenge racism in our personal and professional environments.

Calling to Action

Finally, we emphasize the value of action. From donations to anti-racism organizations to direct participation in campaigns and social movements. The fight against the consequences of racism is for all of us.

Remember: education, individual transformation, and community action are powerful tools we have at our disposal. Combined, they can promote equity, justice, and mental health for all people, regardless of race and skin color.

The Role of Clinical Hypnosis in Mental Health Care for Victims of Racism

Clinical hypnosis plays an essential role in the mental health of victims of racism, contributing effectively to their rehabilitation.

But why?

Racism, unfortunately still strongly present in our society, can trigger several consequences for the mental health of its victims, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress. And that is where clinical hypnosis comes in as a valuable tool.

And how does this happen?

Hypnosis helps access and explore painful feelings and memories in the unconscious of racism victims, in an ATTENTIVE and SAFE way.

This provides a safe environment for the victim to express, analyze, and eventually reformulate their memories and emotions. It is a reunion with one’s own history, conducted carefully and respectfully.

So, can hypnosis REALLY help?

Yes! Through this process, racism victims can find relief for their traumas, in addition to working on strengthening their self-esteem and self-love, so affected by racist experiences.

Clinical hypnosis can be a valuable ally in the recovery path of racism victims, restoring their well-being and mental health.

Application of Clinical Hypnosis: Success Cases

In the fight against the consequences of racism, clinical hypnosis has stood out with inspiring success cases.

Lilian*, a 35-year-old woman, underwent hypnotherapy sessions. She experienced intense anxiety resulting from racist experiences at work. Through hypnosis, we were able to identify the emotional triggers of these situations and work on building healthier emotional responses. Lilian reports today that she feels more confident and capable of dealing with racist situations.

Another case is Carlos*, a 20-year-old young man who had been showing low academic performance due to racial discrimination. With clinical hypnosis, we were able to work on Carlos’s self-esteem, strengthening him to better deal with everyday challenges. Today, Carlos experiences a notable increase in academic performance and self-confidence.

These cases reaffirm how clinical hypnosis can effectively mitigate the effects of racism. It is clear that hypnosis, by itself, does not end racism, which is a structural issue. But it offers valuable tools for individuals suffering from the emotional and psychological consequences of this reality.

* Names have been changed to protect client privacy.

Why Health Professionals Should Learn About Clinical Hypnosis

Health professionals, especially, play a crucial role in identifying and treating the consequences of racism on mental and physical health. They can identify the devastating effects of chronic stress caused by racial discrimination. Therefore, clinical hypnosis should be part of their work tools.

Clinical hypnosis has the potential to alleviate the effects of racism, both at the individual and collective levels. By helping people better deal with stress and anxiety, hypnosis can contribute to a better quality of life and mental resilience in the face of prejudice.

Moreover, clinical hypnosis can be an ally in deconstructing stigmas and prejudices, allowing for a reformulation of automatic thoughts and behaviors. It is a path to an effective and conscious socio-political engagement against racism.

Learning about clinical hypnosis also means being able to offer more comprehensive and humanized care. Knowing how to deal with traumas and internal conflicts that often remain hidden but directly impact physical and emotional health.

Thus, we realize that the importance of clinical hypnosis is not restricted only to the patient but extends to the professional. After all, dealing with the consequences of racism demands a multifocal approach and efficient therapeutic strategies like clinical hypnosis.

Differentiating Clinical Hypnosis from Sensationalist and Ineffective Practices

Surely, you must have come across sensationalist images and narratives about hypnosis, like people being manipulated to act ridiculously or embarrassingly. These representations usually come from entertainment shows and portray a distorted view of what hypnosis is.

Knowing how to differentiate clinical hypnosis from these sensationalist practices is essential for those who wish to work in the field helping people. Hypnosis is a scientific and serious tool used by health professionals and not a form of entertainment or manipulation.

In contrast, so-called ineffective practices and pseudoscientific forms of hypnosis are often based on nonsense theories or techniques lacking evidence. These practices can not only be ineffective but also dangerous, as they can create false expectations and even traumatize the patient. Many of these practices use the idea of “mental reprogramming” or suggest forcing changes in behavior, which is totally contradictory to the ethical and scientific approach of hypnosis.

The consequences of racism can be serious and profound, affecting people’s physical and mental health. Therefore, clinical hypnosis should be seen as a serious therapeutic resource, requiring proper training, respect for the patient, and ethical responsibility.

Hypnosis, Social Awareness, and Combating Racism: The SBH Movement

At the Brazilian Society of Hypnosis (SBH), we unite all our strengths and knowledge to combat the consequences of racism. We recognize its significant impact on people’s mental and physical health, reiterating the importance of our role in promoting emotional health.

We understand that clinical hypnosis has great potential to assist those facing the harmful effects of racism. Thus, expanding social awareness becomes essential in our actions, encompassing our scientific methods with deep reflections on inclusion and respect for diversity.

We are doing our part. Not only do we provide high-level ethical and scientific training for health professionals, but we also encourage actions that promote awareness about racism.

We strive for our professionals to have quick thinking and the ability to help those who need it most, whether in clinical practice or everyday life. We use techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, “mindfulness,” and promote “Open Placebo” respecting the limitations of hypnosis and maneuvering people’s interpretation of the environment as they react.

This is our contribution to a world free of inequalities, where everyone can have access to quality, evidence-based emotional health treatment. We invite you to join us in this mission.

Conclusion: The Battle Against the Consequences of Racism with the Help of Clinical Hypnosis

Racism has profound consequences that are not limited to social injustices. Its impacts can be direct and severe, significantly affecting the physical and mental health of racialized individuals. These effects result in psychological disorders, stress, anxiety, depression, and even physical health problems.

In this context, clinical hypnosis plays a crucial role in helping to address the mental health of racism victims. It is an effective resource, aligned with scientific and ethical methods, that strengthens the emotional health of these individuals. Through this resource, it is possible to address the consequences of racism safely, carefully, and respectfully, assisting in the deconstruction of prejudices and stigmas, confessing personal prejudices, and reformulating automatic thoughts and behaviors.

The Brazilian Society of Hypnosis maintains a keen eye on the consequences of racism, always seeking to combat these issues through the teaching of clinical hypnosis, training health professionals, and promoting emotional health. In this regard, every health professional should learn about clinical hypnosis to offer more comprehensive and humanized care to their patients.

In short, the consequences of racism correspond to a complex and multifaceted issue that requires continuous attention and actions. The use of clinical hypnosis emerges as a valuable tool in this scenario, contributing to the mitigation of psychological traumas caused by racism and promoting mental health and well-being for individuals.

Are you interested in learning scientific hypnosis to apply it professionally? Do you want to boost your results in your current profession or even explore a new profession? Discover the evidence-based hypnosis training and postgraduate courses from the Brazilian Society of Hypnosis through the link.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is clinical hypnosis?

Clinical hypnosis is a therapeutic practice that uses a focused state of consciousness to assist in various health treatments, including relieving the emotional traumas inherent to the consequences of racism.

How can clinical hypnosis help people affected by racism?

Clinical hypnosis acts in the combat against the consequences of racism through neural restructuring. It helps reinterpret experiences and reframe traumas, contributing to rebuilding self-esteem and self-concept.

Can anyone learn clinical hypnosis to help people affected by racism?

While anyone can learn about clinical hypnosis, to practice professionally and in clinical contexts, proper training and qualification are necessary. This training aims to ensure quality and ethics in the provision of this service.

How does the Brazilian Society of Hypnosis (SBH) view clinical hypnosis as a tool in combating racism?

The SBH regards clinical hypnosis as a powerful and profound tool in this process, recognizing the importance of combating racism for the mental health of the population in both its history and mission.

What are some ineffective or sensationalist hypnosis practices to avoid?

Ineffective or sensationalist hypnosis practices often promote instant results and miraculous cures. They are characterized by lacking scientific basis and are often performed by inadequately trained professionals.

This publication is also available at: Portuguese (Brazil) Spanish