Who decides what's normal?

We don't live in culturally neutral spaces. So whose values shape what we consider healthy, successful, or normal, and what happens when those values become the standard for everyone else?

In this episode of Black & Brown Mountain Town, Paulina and Philip explore cultural humility, liberation psychology, and the ways culture, history, and power shape our understanding of mental health. Through personal stories, humor, and reflections on faith, identity, and community, they invite us to question our assumptions, stay curious, and recognize the many ways culture can support healing.

Reflection: What's something you've been taught is "normal" that you've come to question?

Resources

• Writings for a Liberation Psychology - Ignacio Martín-Baró
• White Supremacy Culture - Tema Okun

If you or someone you care about needs additional support, crisis, mental health, community, and culturally responsive resources are included below.

YOU DON’T HAVE TO CARRY IT ALONE

If today's conversation brought something up for you, know that you don't have to carry it by yourself.

If it feels safe to do so, consider reaching out to someone you trust; a friend, family member, neighbor, faith leader, therapist, or another supportive person in your community. Sometimes simply letting someone know you're struggling can be an important first step.

If you don't know who to reach out to, or you need support right now, the resources below are available.

IF YOU NEED IMMEDIATE SUPPORT

Emergency

• Call 911 if you or someone else is in immediate danger.
• If the emergency involves a mental health crisis, you can ask the dispatcher if a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) officer or other specially trained crisis responder is available. Availability varies by community, but CIT-trained officers have additional training in responding to behavioral health crises.
• Or go to your nearest Emergency Department.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

• Call or text 988 (available 24/7)
• Español: Press 2 when calling or text AYUDA to 988.
• You do not need insurance, identification, or immigration documents to contact 988. Most people who reach out are connected with a trained crisis counselor, and the vast majority of conversations are resolved without involving emergency services.

Crisis Text Line

• Text HOME to 741741
• Español: Text AYUDA to 741741

BlackLine

• Call 800-604-5841
• Peer support centered on Black, Black LGBTQ+, and Black femme communities while welcoming BIPOC callers.

The Trevor Project (for LGBTQ+ young people)

• Call 866-488-7386
• Text START to 678-678

Trans Lifeline

• Call 877-565-8860
• Peer support run by trans people, for trans and questioning people.

LGBT National Hotline

• Call 888-843-4564

WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA RESOURCES

View From Here WNC

Looking for other mental health resources? View From Here WNC connects people across Western North Carolina with local mental health services, crisis resources, and wellness organizations by county.

https://www.wnchn.org/view-from-here-wnc-mental-health/

Mobile Crisis Management

888-573-1006

A mobile crisis team can come to you if you're experiencing a behavioral health crisis and need in-person support.

Behavioral Health Crisis Center (C3)

356 Biltmore Ave.

Asheville, NC 28801

Walk-in behavioral health crisis services for adults experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis.