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Why diversity with self-awareness?
Bias is a four-letter-word that carries a punch: What is good for you may not be good for me.
Self-awareness is the first step in identifying implicit bias.
Q. What is Implicit Bias?
A. It is an unconscious worldview that influences our actions, words, and decision without us knowing it (implicit).
**We cannot begin to truly identify what is good for us without realizing it may not apply to the person next to us. Everyone is different and has different needs.
We all have bias that is formed by our early experiences and developed with each following experience. Sometimes we are more aware of it than others, but until we acknowledge that it exists, we cannot become better humans.
Our biases can affect how we view, talk to, and treat ourselves as much as others.
Q. What can I do about my implicit bias?
A. There are a few things you can do to counteract implicit bias:
Recognize it's existence
Be mindful of your thoughts, words, and actions.
Question your beliefs
Ask questions and
Listen openly to those who have different experiences than you.
Gender Identity
Gender Identity
Mental health encompasses all of a person - physical, emotional, and psychological. Our gender identity is a part of that. Gender dysphoria creates an unease because of a mismatch between the anatomical (outer / physical) sex one is born with and their gender identity. Several studies have documented the increased risk of mental illness and suicide within this population.
I found the Genderbread Person to be a helpful resource to learn the differences between anatomical sex, gender identity, gender expression, and attraction.
Do you struggle with understanding terminology around gender and sexuality? I did, and the below glossary I found to be informative, I hope you do too!
Neurodiversity
Neurodiversity
Neurodiversity is important to understand - for yourself and your patients. Those who are neurodivergent (ADHD, ADD, autism, bipolar disorder, OCD, sensory processing disorders, anxiety disorders, etc.) may not appear to be disabled but may have significant struggles that are not as easily identified - which makes finding and providing accommodations harder.
Neurodivergent people often feel like something is wrong with them.
They adapt like a chameleon (copying those around them) to their environment in order to be accepted.
That adaptation comes at a huge cost - mentally, emotionally, physically - for the person.
Not all disabilities are visible - and I'd venture to say most disabilities are not visible.
Nurses need to engage with each patient individually and learn what we can do to best support them. Understanding that each person is unique in their strengths and challenges will go a long way in supporting individuals where they need it (whether it's coworkers, patients, students, or family members).
Some neurodiverse advocates that advocate for themselves and the neurodivergent community are:
Jordan James and Simon Scott on The Neurodivergent Experience podcast
Both late-diagnosed autistic/ADHD and share their experiences (past and present)
Jordan James wrote a book The Autistic Experience: Silenced Voices Finally Heard (interviews with more than 80 autistic individuals)
Annie Kotowicz
Autistic woman diagnosed late in life.
Annie has a blog about her experiences - https://neurobeautiful.com/
Author of the book What I Mean When I Say I'm Autistic.
It is more important than ever to accept everyone with an open mind, acknowledging the unique perspectives individuals bring because they have a different set of life experiences.
It is these experiences that make us who we are.
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