Black Mental Health Matters, Too

When we say black lives matter, it’s important to remember that black mental health matters as well. For years, mental health has been a topic often viewed as taboo, especially in the Black community.

In the midst of a pandemic and with the ongoing decimation of black lives, it’s overwhelming and growing increasingly difficult to find and maintain healthy outlets that give us space to unpack the traumas that come from racism, violence and many other challenges that come with being black in America. 

When I talk to many of my black friends, I am reminded that our experiences are not always linear, but we relate in many ways about our hardships that are very similar, and unfortunately common.

But something that has been a constant reminder to me is that our negative experiences aren’t the only thing that we need to have in common, or what provokes discussion (which is not said to dismiss this). We can also talk about ways in which we are receiving help and the resources that are available for us. 

Over the years, it’s encouraging to see that there are platforms and resources available that focus on mental health, therapy and more. Below you’ll find a few people to follow on social media who are advocating for mental health as well as directories that provide more information and insight on how to find a therapist and manage stress and anxiety. 

 

Profiles to follow on Instagram: Add Some Daily Gems to Your Timeline 

Nedra Glover Tawwab, Therapist 

Tawwab is a licensed therapist,  boundary expert, content creator and writer and is the founder/owner of the group therapy practice, Kaleidoscope Counseling. She encourages and teaches people how to create healthy relationships, with boundaries being the core foundation.

Tawwab’s ultimate goal is to show people that you can have healthy relationships with other people and yourself. She hosts weekly Q&A’s and shares tips, tools and mental health practices.   

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCQ5_QzjhCO/

Thema Bryant-Davis, Ph.D

Bryant-Davis is a licensed psychologist, ordained minister and a professor at Pepperdine University. Clinically, she focuses on healing trauma, relationship difficulties, anxiety, oppression and more. Her work and practice has grown popular through her inspiring and encouraging tweets on Twitter. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CB5i0vmFCfI/

Henry Health

Henry Health is an upcoming app that focuses on providing support and improving black men’s mental health. The pilot is currently open to those living in the DMV area. Check out https://henry-health.com/how-it-works/ to learn more.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7Ope4lAijf/

Thérèse Cator 

Cator is an artist, womnx leadership coach and healer who has made it her mission to help others see unhealthy conditions, patterns and behaviors, and how to dismantle them to reclaim power, courage, confidence and more.

She is the creatrix behind Circle of Reclamation, a year-long course open to all womxn to reclaim the parts of themselves that have been lost and forgotten. Cator is also the founder of Black Girls Breathe, an organization that creates healing spaces for womnx of color.  

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8y7-sAnhr_/

Minaa B., LMSW

Minaa B is a social worker, writer, wellness consultant and psychotherapist who uses a variety of clinical lenses to engage with her clients. In addition to her practice, she is an author who has written the book titled Rivers Are Coming: A Collection of Essays And Poems On Healing From Depression and Trauma. Minaa also helps facilitate workshops for different companies highlighting topics that range from self-development to mental health. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CBVgDKJpDNT/

 

Dr. Ebony 

Dr. Ebony Butler is a licensed psychologist who specializes in working with clients with issues related to anxiety and other stress responses. Butler is passionate and shows interest in what affects marginalized communities, minority women and LGBT persons to name a few.

Butler has also created My Therapy Cards deck, created with the  intention of helping other women of color grow and elevate in the areas of emotional and mental health. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CBeSn9lBo-N/

Directories To Help Aid in the Search For Black Therapists 

1. Therapy for Black Girls 
2. Therapy for Black Men 
3. Black Men Heal 
4. Black Virtual Therapist Network – BEAM
5. Onipa
6. National Queer and Trans Therapists Of Color Network
7. Zencare
8. Black Therapist Network 
9. Inclusive Therapists

 

Be gracious with yourself as you take the time to look through these resources. Therapy and finding the best resources for your mental health can be overwhelming and scary. But to take that first step is the most important and you should be proud of yourself for taking the initiative.

There is a lot of trauma to unlearn and a lot to unpack, and therapy won’t completely fix everything, but it provides the opportunity to see what steps you can take to finding healing. This is a life long process but not impossible. 

If this is your first time going to therapy and you’re not quite sure what questions to ask or how to break the ice, SELF Magazine provides tips and information about certain questions that you might want to ask your therapist. Additionally, they also provide tips on how to find therapy that is affordable using a sliding scale if you don’t have insurance or the insurance you do have is not accepted. 

Give yourself the strength, grace, love and more that you give to others. You deserve it. Stay strong, but also give yourself time to rest. You’re valuable, we need you healthy. Black mental health is important.