In recognition of Black History Month and beyond, we have updated our resource list that supports mental health and well-being in Black communities. Breaking down stigma is essential, and Providence’s Well Being Trust is committed to providing resources that support mental well-being.
Explore this curated collection of articles, guides, podcasts, and other resources. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by the Black community, these resources aim to empower individuals and promote a culture of understanding and support.
Let’s celebrate Black History Month by elevating mental health awareness and sustaining the conversation beyond February.
Organizations & Associations
- African American Behavioral Health Center of Excellence – This center develops and disseminates training, technical assistance, and resources to help healthcare practitioners eliminate behavioral health disparities within this large and diverse population.
- BEAM (Black Emotional & Mental Health Collective) – an organization dedicated to 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 Mental Health Alliance – An organization that is working to develop, promote and sponsor trusted culturally-relevant educational forums, trainings and referral services that support the health and well-being of Black people and their communities.
- Black Mental Wellness – An organization that provides access to evidence-based information and resources about mental health and behavioral health topics from a Black perspective, to highlight and increase the diversity of mental health professionals, and to decrease the mental health stigma in the Black community.
- Black Therapists Rock – A nonprofit organization that mobilizes more than 30,000 mental health professionals committed to reducing the psychological impact of systemic oppression and intergenerational trauma.
- The Association of Black Psychologists – an organization that promotes social justice, cultural psychology, racial/ethnic identity and multicultural competencies, and addresses challenges facing the black community.
- Therapy in Color – an organization created to help ensure all individuals have access to mental health therapy by someone who promotes authenticity and cultural diversity.
The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation – an organization with a vision to eradicate the stigma around mental health issues in the African-American community.
Youth and Young Adults
Black Women
- AAKOMA Project – a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping diverse teenagers, young adults, and their families achieve optimal mental health.
- The Steve Fund – An organization offering an array of virtual and in-person programs and services designed to address the mental health and well-being of young people of color.
- Sista Afya – A social enterprise that provides low-cost mental wellness services that center the experiences of Black women.
- Therapy for Black Girls – An online space dedicated to encouraging the mental wellness of Black women and girls.
- Black Girls Smile – an organization with a mission to provide young Black women with education, resources, and support to lead mentally healthy lives.
Black Men
Podcasts & Videos
- Brother, You’re on My Mind: – Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities launched this initiative that uses a variety of activities to raise awareness of the mental health challenges associated with depression and stress that affect African American men and their families.
- The Confess Project of America – An organization committed to building a culture of mental health for Black boys, men, and their families.
- Therapy for Black Men – A directory of therapists and coaches throughout the 50 state providing judgement-free, multiculturally-competent care to Black men.
- A Conversation on Black Mental Health – Darius Dawson, PhD, Investigator, Behavioral Health Program, Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center; and Tiara Johnson discuss embracing black mental health, the importance of allyship, and the mental health of black men.
- Black Girls Heal
- Celeste The Therapist ®️
- Finding ‘Peace of Mind with Taraji’
- NAMI Sharing Hope: Mental Wellness in Black/African Ancestry Communities – A three-part community conversation series grounded in the sharing of sacred stories and guided dialogue on mental wellness and support.
- Therapy for Black Girls Podcast
- Unapologetically Black Unicorns Podcast
Articles and Additional Resources
- Anxiety & Depression Association of America: Black and African American Communities
- Download: Anxiety & Depression Association of America’s Ways to Embrace Black Mental Health Infographic
- Mental Health America: Black and African American Communities and Mental Health
- Download: Work2BeWell’s BIYOC Intersectionality of Race & Mental Health module
- Addressing Mental Health in the Black Community
- Exploring the Mental Health Stigma in Black Communities
Why It’s Time to Shift the Focus to Mental Health in the Black Community
Facts and Statistics
- 21% of Black and African Americans reported having a mental illness, compared to 23.9% of non-Hispanic Whites. However, just 39% of Black and African Americans received mental health services compared to non-Hispanic Whites (52%)
- Black Americans have similar rates of substance use disorder (17%) as non-Hispanic Whites, but higher rates of illicit drug use (24.3 vs 22.5 respectively) and unmet treatment needs (16.4% vs 15.7%, respectively)
- A report published in November 2021 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed suicide rates decreased in the United States by 3% in 2020, but increased among many men of color, including Black men, during that period.
- Suicide was the third leading cause of death among African Americans 10 to 24 years old, and African American men 25-34.
Source: SAMHSA Behavioral Health Equity – Black /African American Communities
