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Dr. Gina Sissoko

@ginasissoko

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Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Researcher @yale
Consultant 🤎 colorism, beauty & representation
Black Psych in Germany: @dr.gina_psychologin
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Beauty brands - and everyone else - do better!!! 💅🏿 #beautypsychologist #inclusivebeauty #texturism #mielle #hairestem by @ginasissoko
Thank you, 33. forever grateful. To more growth, more life, more love in 34. I’m ready to claim everything that’s mine. May I see it, may I feel it, may I recognize it. 🩷 by @ginasissoko
Let me reintroduce myself – my name is Dr. Gina Sissoko! ✨ I have a PhD in clinical psychology and am dedicated to promoting mental health in Black communities across the globe. My work focuses on the effects of colorism, gendered racism, and trauma on mental and sexual health, particularly among Black women and girls worldwide. I proudly call myself a global citizen. Born and raised in Hamburg, Germany, to immigrant parents from Mali, West Africa, I’ve lived in London, Mali, Morocco, and finally moved to New York City by myself at just 19. I speak German, English, and French fluently, and I can hold a conversation in Bambara! I’m excited to launch an online space where we can prioritize psychoeducation, community, care, and equity together. Here’s what you can expect: 💡 Actionable mental health tips to help you thrive 📚 Research highlights to keep you informed about the latest science 🌍 Reflections from my journey as a global psychologist 🎉 A glimpse into my life—whether it’s as someone’s favorite auntie, an avid Beyoncé fan, or a party-planner extraordinaire! I’m so glad you’re here 💛 by @ginasissoko
Day 31: Resistance protects. 91% of Black girls in one study reported actively resisting colorism, and girls who rejected colorist beauty ideals had higher self-esteem (Rosario et al., 2021). Affirming messages from Black women friends also helped buffer colorism's effects on self-worth and wellbeing (Leath et al., 2023) Thanks for following along with us for 31 days of colorism and mental health facts! Comment the fact that you found most surprising, meaningful, or interesting below! Save, share, and tag someone who should be part of this conversation. #Colorism #MentalHealthAwareness #SkinToneBias #BlackMentalHealth #BlackGirlsMatter #PublicHealth #SocialDeterminantsOfHealth #PsychologyResearch by @ginasissoko
Day 30: Colorism often hides behind "preference." Black girls described hearing "my type is light-skinned" on TikTok and YouTube, and said this normalizes the idea that dark-skinned girls are less desirable (Crooks et al., 2025). Follow along for 31 days of colorism and mental health facts! Save, share, and tag someone who should be part of this conversation. #Colorism #MentalHealthAwareness #SkinToneBias #BlackMentalHealth #BlackGirlsMatter #PublicHealth #SocialDeterminantsOfHealth #PsychologyResearch by @ginasissoko
Day 29: Colorism shapes sexual risk and wellbeing differently across skin tones. Lighter-skinned girls face fetishization and exoticization, while darker-skinned girls face devaluation and a lack of protection (Crooks et al., 2023). Follow along for 31 days of colorism and mental health facts! Save, share, and tag someone who should be part of this conversation. #Colorism #MentalHealthAwareness #SkinToneBias #BlackMentalHealth #BlackGirlsMatter #PublicHealth #SocialDeterminantsOfHealth #PsychologyResearch by @ginasissoko
Day 28: Darker-skinned Black women described feeling less desired, and said this left them less able to assert themselves in sexual relationships and in healthcare settings (Bond et al., 2025). Follow along for 31 days of colorism and mental health facts! Save, share, and tag someone who should be part of this conversation. #Colorism #MentalHealthAwareness #SkinToneBias #BlackMentalHealth #BlackGirlsMatter #PublicHealth #SocialDeterminantsOfHealth #PsychologyResearch by @ginasissoko
Day 27: The impacts of colorism aren't just experienced by Black communities. Among 539 Latinx young adults, preferring lighter-skinned romantic partners was associated with more body shame and more sexual risk-taking (Teran et al., 2024). This highlights the need for specific mental and sexual health interventions to reduce health disparities among young adults, given the significant influence of skin tone in socialization. Follow along for 31 days of colorism and mental health facts! Save, share, and tag someone who should be part of this conversation. #Colorism #MentalHealthAwareness #SkinToneBias #BlackMentalHealth #BlackGirlsMatter #PublicHealth #SocialDeterminantsOfHealth #PsychologyResearch by @ginasissoko
Day 26: Parental support weakened the link between darker skin tone and lower self-esteem, reminding us that families can be a vital protective factor against colorism-related harms in Black girls (Landor et al., 2019). Follow along for 31 days of colorism and mental health facts! Save, share, and tag someone who should be part of this conversation. #Colorism #MentalHealthAwareness #SkinToneBias #BlackMentalHealth #BlackGirlsMatter #PublicHealth #SocialDeterminantsOfHealth #PsychologyResearch by @ginasissoko
Day 25: In a study following 397 Black girls into young adulthood, darker skin tone predicted lower self-esteem. Lower self-esteem predicted riskier sexual behavior and more negative outcomes such as STIs and pregnancy (Landor et al., 2019). Follow along for 31 days of colorism and mental health facts! Save, share, and tag someone who should be part of this conversation. #Colorism #MentalHealthAwareness #SkinToneBias #BlackMentalHealth #BlackGirlsMatter #PublicHealth #SocialDeterminantsOfHealth #PsychologyResearch by @ginasissoko
Day 24: Colorism has shaped stereotypes about Black women's sexuality. The hypersexual "Jezebel" was often drawn as light-skinned with long hair. The "Sapphire," portrayed as angry and aggressive, was typically dark-skinned, and the darker the woman, the more aggressive she was assumed to be. Both images were used to deny Black women protection from violence and have profound impacts on girls’ development and self-image (Townsend et al., 2010; Ward et al., 2023). Follow along for 31 days of colorism and mental health facts! Save, share, and tag someone who should be part of this conversation. #Colorism #MentalHealthAwareness #SkinToneBias #BlackMentalHealth #BlackGirlsMatter #PublicHealth #SocialDeterminantsOfHealth #PsychologyResearch by @ginasissoko
Day 23: Girls as young as 9 already recognized dark skin as a risk factor for bullying, under-protection, and criminalization (Crooks et al., 2025). Follow along for 31 days of colorism and mental health facts! Save, share, and tag someone who should be part of this conversation. #Colorism #MentalHealthAwareness #SkinToneBias #BlackMentalHealth #BlackGirlsMatter #PublicHealth #SocialDeterminantsOfHealth #PsychologyResearch by @ginasissoko

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