FINDING BLACK HELP FOR BLACK HEALTH
Talking about mental health, or your emotions for that matter, in the black community used to be totally non-existent. We were raised to be tough as nails to make it through life – because that’s what the generation before us needed to survive. But now there is more awareness about trauma and the need for therapy to address that trauma that has been passed down generation after generation.
Additionally, there has been more of an uprise in recorded racism, police brutality and the killings of black people. For generations, we have been trying to address and process the racism that is a part of the backbone of America. Add that to the fact that we were under lockdown during a pandemic, Black Americans now face higher rates of mental illness than White and experience more severe mental health issues due to the lack of resources according to the Human Services Office of Minority Health.
However, due to the societal push to be more conscious of mental health and technological advances in telehealth, there are plenty resources to explore when it comes to finding ways to address mental health needs. Here are a few options:
Melanin and Mental Health
Melanin and Mental Health is a network that connects minority communities—specifically Latinx and Black people—to mental health services. The network provides a directory of culturally competent therapists. It features the Between Sessions Podcast, which includes candid conversations on mental health, racial trauma, and self-care advice from ”two brown chicks changing the face of therapy on both sides of the couch.” Their social media feed provides inspiration, resources, and self-care tips to help cope during COVID-19.
Therapy for Black Girls
Shout out to Rhayvan Terrell, LCSW of Lighthouse Counseling Services for putting us on to Therapy for Black Girls. Based just outside of Atlanta, Georgia, Therapy for Black Girls is an online community dedicated to encouraging mental wellness for Black women and Black girls. Therapy for Black Girls also offers a referral tool to help users find mental health services.
The Loveland Foundation
The Loveland Foundation aims to make mental health services more accessible for Black women and girls through the Therapy Fund, which provides financial assistance to Black women and girls across the United States. Its Instagram feed features a combination of self-care tips and posts highlighting mental health experts in the Black community.
Black Men Heal
Black Men Heal provides mental health treatment, psycho-education, and support services to men of color. By providing free access to mental health services, Black Men Heal encourages Black men to share experiences of stigma, racial bias, and mental health issues with other Black men to help create safe spaces.
The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation
In 2018, actress Taraji P. Henson founded the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation to honor her father, a war veteran who coped with psychological struggles stemming from wartime trauma. The foundation aims to increase access to mental health services, raise mental health awareness, and highlight the impact of mental health conditions in Black communities. The foundation also offers a directory of culturally competent therapists and culturally sensitive Black-centered wellness resources.
Always remember, you matter. And after everything that we have gone through in 2020, you may be especially vulnerable on top of the normal stress of everyday life. It’s ok to not be ok. Seeking professional help can help you start the healing process and cope with overwhelming feelings.
