Black History Month is a time to celebrate the rich history, culture, and contributions of Black individuals and communities. It’s also an important opportunity to highlight the significance of mental health within the Black community. Here are some ways to celebrate and honor Black History Month.
*Raising Awareness:
Black History Month helps to raise awareness about the unique mental health challenges faced by Black individuals. Historical and systemic racism, discrimination, and socio-economic disparities have contributed to higher rates of mental health issues within the Black community. By acknowledging these challenges, we can work towards creating more equitable mental health support systems.
Click here for Minnesota Events Celebrating Black History Month
*Reducing Stigma & Becoming Educated:
Black History Month provides a platform to openly discuss mental health, normalize seeking help, and reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues. This can encourage more individuals to seek the support they need. Educating ourselves about the needs of the Black community is essential to providing quality support.
Resources
Source: NAMI
Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective (BEAM)
Group aimed at removing the barriers that Black people experience getting access to or staying connected with emotional health care and healing through education, training, advocacy and the creative arts.
Black Men Heal
Limited and selective free mental health service opportunities for Black men.
Black Mental Health Alliance — (410) 338-2642
Provides information, resources and a “Find a Therapist” locator to connect with a culturally competent mental health professional.
Black Mental Wellness
Provides access to evidence-based information and resources about mental health and behavioral health topics from a Black perspective, as well as training opportunities for students and professionals.
Black Women’s Health Imperative
Organization advancing health equity and social justice for Black women through policy, advocacy, education, research and leadership development.
Brother You’re on My Mind
An initiative launched by Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and NIMHD to raise awareness of the mental health challenges associated with depression and stress that affect Black men and families. Website offers an online toolkit that provides Omega Psi Phi Fraternity chapters with the materials needed to educate fellow fraternity brothers and community members on depression and stress in Black men.
Ebony’s Mental Health Resources by State
List of Black-owned and focused mental health resources by state as compiled by Ebony magazine.
Melanin and Mental Health
Connects individuals with culturally competent clinicians committed to serving the mental health needs of Black & Latinx/Hispanic communities. Promotes the growth and healing of diverse communities through its website, online directory and events.
Mocha Health
Online community for Black women to seek support.
Ourselves Black
Provides information on promoting mental health and developing positive coping mechanisms through a podcast, online magazine and online discussion groups.
POC Online Classroom
Contains readings on the importance of self care, mental health care, and healing for people of color and within activist movements.
Sista Afya
Organization that provides mental wellness education, resource connection and community support for Black women.
Therapy for Black Girls
Online space dedicated to encouraging the mental wellness of Black women and girls. Offers listing of mental health professionals across the country who provide high quality, culturally competent services to Black women and girls, an informational podcast and an online support community.
The SIWE Project
Non-profit dedicated to promoting mental health awareness throughout the global Black community.
The Steve Fund
Organization focused on supporting the mental health and emotional well-being of young people of color.
*Celebrating Resilience:
The Black community has shown incredible resilience in the face of adversity. Black History Month is a time to celebrate this resilience and recognize the strength and perseverance of Black individuals.
Click here to read and watch “Black Joy: Resistance, Resilience and Reclamation”
*Promoting Culturally Competent Care
Culturally competent mental health care is essential for effective treatment. Black History Month emphasizes the importance of understanding and respecting cultural differences in mental health care. This includes recognizing the impact of cultural identity on mental health and ensuring that mental health professionals are equipped to provide culturally sensitive care.
Click here to visit NAMI’s page discussing Culturally Competent Care
*Encouraging Community Support
Community support plays a vital role in mental health. Black History Month encourages communities to come together, support one another, and create safe spaces for discussing mental health. This sense of community can provide a strong support network for individuals facing mental health challenges.
