Author: Tocarra Mallard; Supervisor of Diversity, Equity and Volunteer Initiatives
Initially created in 1926 by educator Carter G. Woodson as “Negro History Week”, Black History Month is an annual celebration of the achievements of Black people in the United States and across the diaspora. As a social services agency invested in ending the stigma around mental health and counseling, it’s important to acknowledge the organizations, websites, and programs removing the barrier of access to culturally competent care. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) indicates that while “anyone can develop a mental health problem; African Americans sometimes experience more severe forms of mental health conditions due to unmet needs and other barriers.” To add to the conversation about Black American mental health and wellness, here are a few useful resources to finding mental health services and wellness strategies specific to Black people.
The Boris Lawerence Henson Foundation
The Boris Lawerence Henson Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in 2018 by Taraji P. Henson. Through partnerships, the foundation ensures cultural competency in caring for Black Americans who struggle with mental illness by providing scholarships to Black students who seek a career in the mental health field; offer mental health services and programs to young people in urban schools; and combat recidivism within the prison system.
Therapy for Black Girls was developed to present mental health topics in a way that feels more accessible and relevant. The website is comprised of a blog, podcast, and directory. The mission of Therapy for Black girls is to encourage the mental wellness of black women and girls.
TherapyForBlackMen.org is a directory to help men of color in their search for a therapist. Using the directory, men can search by therapist location and specialization.
Mental Health America highlights a comprehensive guide to Black & African American communities and mental health that includes statistics as well as educational and help-related resources.
Black Mental Wellness provides access to Black centered evidenced-based information and highlights the diversity of mental health professionals working to decrease the mental health disparities of access to care and treatment in the Black community. This website also includes introduction to coping skills, research studies, and links to external resources.