These Virtual Mental Health Resources for Black Women Can Make All the Difference
Black lives matter, and so does Black mental health. Mar 13, 2021
If you need mental health assistance right now, call the NAMI Helpline at 800-950-NAMI or text “NAMI” to 741741.
Black lives matter, and so does Black mental health. The Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health reports that African Americans are 10 percent more likely to experience serious psychological distress. At the same time, only 30 percent of African American adults with mental illnesses get help each year, which is below the U.S. average of 43 percent.
Racism and racial trauma continue to affect the mental well-being of Black people, who already face so many obstacles when it comes to receiving mental health treatment. As the National Alliance on Mental Illness stated, “Racism is a public health crisis.”
We have to support one another against all odds as we seek liberation and equity. Black History Month, for me, means embracing my Blackness, discovering what brings me Black Joy, whether it’s staying at home binge-watching a Netflix series or being physically in the streets making sure the message I’ve been trying to convey for the past few months is heard: Black Lives Matter. Black people don’t need direction on what brings us Black joy. Black people don’t need to be silenced in decision-making. Black people don’t need seats at any table because we’re constructing our own ineradicable, platformed table. Black people are creating spaces for themselves and ensuring inevitable change is in favor of the Black community.
Diverse therapists provide understanding, accurate mental-health diagnoses for people of color -- and more are needed: Coping Through COVID cleveland.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from cleveland.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The Office of the Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic), the Social Accountability and Community Engagement Office (SACE) in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, and the McGill initiative Supporting Young Black Students (SYBS) hosted “Black Mental Health Matters,” held virtually on Feb. 10. As part of McGill’s Black History Month 2021, the event consisted of a presentation on mental health, a panel discussion, and a conversation centered around mental health in the Black community.
The presentation was given by Maureen Owino, who resides in Toronto, but joined the Zoom event from Nairobi. Owino is a first generation immigrant who is currently a PhD student at York University studying the impact of the HIV/AIDS and COVID-19 pandemics on Black communities in Canada. Owino is also a program coordinator for the Committee for Accessible AIDS Treatment in Toronto.
Credit: Iris Mannings Photography
Meet Dr. Nicole Cammack, Dr. Danielle Busby, Dr. Dana Cunningham and Dr. Jessica Henry, a group of four psychologists setting out to make waves with their company Black Mental Wellness.
While each of the women brings unique experiences and expertise to the table, the team is united behind one mission: We re really trying to break down that stigma about mental health services in the Black community, Cunningham, 44, tells PEOPLE. Get push notifications with news, features and more. + Follow
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Since Spring 2018, the organization has been providing culturally sensitive educational resources, programs and workshops, many of which are free of charge, according to their website. They also offer an ambassador progra