Ever since I completed the graduate work for my master’s degree, I have been struggling to find a career path that interested me, well until now. Recently I have been studying a few webinars related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Here in the US, society has been moving in a path that makes DEI increasingly more important. What many may not see right away is how DEI is connected to mental health.
Diverse yet similar
Look at your coworkers, friends, and your schoolmates. You probably see various nationalities, cultures, a mix of races and genders. Your inner circle of friends has a diversity of people that offer various viewpoints. Each of these individuals is moving through life in a different way. But each of these individuals also has their own struggles too. Some may be fighting discrimination. Others may be fighting racism. And who knows how many are fighting bias judgment. The constant stress and anxiety of trying to fit in to be noticed can force the strongest to cave. As I have said, we are all uniquely similar.
Equal in chance
Each one of those people is looking for an opportunity. An equal opportunity to do more, be more, and accomplish everything they can. But they are facing judgment and bias at every step. Don’t get confused with equality. Think of it this way. Three kids want to watch a baseball game at school. The taller child has no problem looking over the fence. The little child has a bit of a problem and needs a box to look over the fence. But their friend that is in a wheelchair cannot see. Equality means that each child would have 1 box to use to see over the fence. Equity means that the tall child would not need a box, the smaller child would need a box, and the third child in the wheelchair would receive a ramp.
Equal in life
I can personally understand this. Recently, my son was diagnosed with ADHD. To have an equal opportunity to learn with the other children in school, he needs just a little bit more assistance. Maybe to take tests in another room. Or he might need notes from class to be printed out for him. And the more I study equity, the more I see that this is the level that so many of us struggle with. The idea that either we need more help than others, or that someone else needs more to do the same thing we do can be frustrating. As adults, we tend to boast that we can do anything. Well, we boast that we are better than everyone else too. But when we find out that we need help, suddenly our mind turns around and we begin to wonder if we are any good at anything.
Include love
Inclusion brings us all together. The support groups, community programs, the acceptance for who we are, what we can do, and our unique traits. Without inclusion, we wouldn’t have programs throughout the community that offer guidance and support for everyone who needs it. At work, inclusion may look like celebrating the various cultures within the company. At school, the inclusion is my son with ADHD in the same classroom as kids without it. Or maybe there is a child with a physical disability in the same classroom.
Embrace our similar differences
When anyone is struggling in life, whether from trauma, stress, or abuse, we all look for elements to bring a sense of acceptance back. Understanding that our society is diverse and there may be someone from another gender or race out there that has a different view to a similar situation. Our friends of the LGBTQ+ that have been fighting through life, may be able to help some of us understand our emotions a little better. Being able to find an equal chance, even if it means extra help or more work, to accomplish our goals can turn anyone’s life around. And finally, to be included, supported, and accepted beyond our fears and faults, offers us all the warm feelings of being loved. Embrace your diversity, push to have equal chance, and always know you are included and accepted here. Love you all!
Enjoy this video.
With great warmth,
