mental-health-2019-scientifictracks

Note:

June 24-25, 2019 | Philadelphia, USA

Mental Health 2019

Journal of Mental Health and Aging | Volume 3

Page 12

PSYCHIATRY DISORDERS, MENTAL

HEALTH ANDWELLNESS

World Summit on

OF EXCELLENCE

IN INTERNATIONAL

MEETINGS

YEARS

MICROAGGRESSIONS IN THE US: THE CASE OF AMERICAN MUSLIMS

Fatten Elkomy

New Horizons Community Support Services, USA

icroaggressions are covert discriminatory verbal, visual or societal/individual attitudes embedded in ev-

eryday life communications whether intentional or unintentional against a person or a group based on

religious, ethnic or gender affiliations. Microaggressions degrade, marginalize and alienate the target group

or person causing significant mental and physical harm to the victim. The fact that this form of discrimination

is mostly hidden, common and hard to identify makes it extremely difficult for the victims to protect them-

selves or respond appropriately to occur. Although poorly studied, Muslim Americans are a main target for

Microaggressions that is specifically intensified with the propagation of Islamaphobia. Microaggressions have

three types: microassault, microinsult and micro-invalidation. The continuous exposure to these aggressive

acts increases the risk for serious mental disorders with increased need for psychiatric care. Mental health

professionals have to insure culture sensitive care by first and far most face their own biases and the societal

influences on their practices, believes and ethics. Literature review of online data and research was conducted.

Three books directly related to the subject were reviewed. The main objectives were to understand the forms

of racial/religion discrimination impeded in American society targeting Muslim Americans, the psychological

impact of microaggresions, biases in psychiatric care and ways to help this group. The literature clarified the

signs and symptoms of microaggresion and its impact on the affected individual as well as guidance for assist-

ing the victims. Microaggressions are never benign or trivial. The severity of harm is explained by the constant

exposure of such hidden assaults in schools, workplaces, streets, the media and everywhere else. It is a societal

problem that is affecting Muslims and their children mentally and physically. Healthcare systems and mental

health providers are not immune from engaging in microaggressions. They are required to understand these

patterns of insults as it will cause farther confusion to their patients and increase resentment and mistrust to

the care they provide to this group.

Fatten Elkomy has completed her Medical Degree from the University of Alexandria, Egypt. She has finished three Masters Degrees

in Health Administration, Health Informatics and Mental Health Nursing as well as the Doctoral Degree of Mental health nursing

practice all from University of Missouri-Columbia, USA. She is a mental health provider at New Horizon’s community mental health

office. She is a national and international speaker.

BIOGRAPHY

Fatten Elkomy, J Ment Health Aging 2019, Volume 3