NAMI Sharing Hope:
An African American Guide to Mental Health
Wellness means being healthy physically, mentally and spiritually. Mental health
conditions, in particular, can affect all of
us. One in every four individuals has a
mental health condition of some kind,
according to the National Institute of
Mental Health. African Americans are no
exception.
Read other black mental health articles and links to additional resources on the NAMI website.
NAMI Compartiendo Esperanza:
No hay salud sin salud emocional
Cuando pensamos en la salud, la mayoría pensamos en la salud física y nos olvidamos de
una parte esencial: la salud emocional. Por eso es importante recordar que tal como el
corazón o los pulmones se pueden enfermar, también se puede enfermar el cerebro.
Según el Instituto Nacional de Salud
Mental, una de cada cuatro personas
tiene algún tipo de problema de
salud mental. Los latinos no somos la
excepción.
NAMI: Identity and Cultural Dimensions
“Our culture, beliefs, sexual identity, values, race and language all affect how we perceive and experience mental health conditions. Cultural differences can influence what treatments, coping mechanisms and supports work for us. It is therefore essential for culture and identity to be a part of the conversation as we discuss both mental health and mental health care . . .”
Topic Subcategories:
Asian American, Pacific Islander, Black, African American, Indigenous, LGBTQI, Hispanic/Latinx, and People with Disabilities
Black Mental Health Matters
This website contains resources to therapists, hotlines, and more for black African Americans struggling with mental health during this uncertain and challenging time in the black community.
Black Men Heal
MISSION: To provide access to mental health treatment, psycho-education, and community resources to men of color.
“Suicide is ranked as the 3rd leading cause of death in black men from ages 15-24.”
Reginald A. Howard
Affiliated with NAMI and Black Man Heal, Mental Health Advocate Reginald Howard is an Influencer, Mental Clarity Coach, Public Speaker, Blogger and thought-provoking Podcaster.
Reginald understands people. He knows firsthand the mental suffering that black people go through internally. Through his work he can deal with his issues while helping, healing and hearing others.
Black Mental Health Matters: Warning Signs and Resources for the Black Community
“Did you know that the suicide rate of Black children under the age of thirteen is twice as high as their white counterparts? And the rates of Major Depressive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder are higher in the Black community than in any other community?”
– Risk factors for suicide
– Signs of suicidal ideation
– Behaviors that may signal suicidal ideation
– Mental Health Resources for People of Color
Mental Health Resources for
Black Americans
In over a year marked by a global pandemic and racial upheaval, where can Black Americans turn for help? (9 organizations that are offering help.)
– Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective (BEAM)
– Black Mental Health Alliance
– Black Mental Wellness
– Black Women’s Health Imperative (BWHI)
– Melanin & Mental Health
– POC Online Classroom
– Sista Afya
– Therapy for Black Girls
– The Steve Fund
Racism and Violence: How to Help Kids Handle the News
“With protests over the violent deaths of black Americans dominating the news, it’s understandable that many kids are feeling scared, confused or angry about the situation. How can parents, many of whom are struggling themselves, help children process what they’re seeing and manage their feelings?
There’s no one right answer. That said, there are a few guidelines parents can keep in mind to help kids deal with troubling news about race and violence”
Mental Health America
2021 Theme: Strength in Communities
This year’s Took Kit explores three topic areas: community care, self-directed care, and cultural care and why these types of care are valid and valuable choices people can make for their mental health.
Community care refers to ways in which communities of color have provided support to each other. This can include things such as mutual aid, peer support, and healing circles.
Self-directed care is an innovative practice that emphasizes that people with mental health and substance use conditions, or their representatives if applicable, have decision-making authority over services they receive.
Cultural care refers to practices that are embedded in cultures that are passed down through generations that naturally provide resiliency and healing.
Online Resources for Mental Health and Self-Care
Therapy for Black Girls
Online space founded by Dr. Joy Bradford is dedicated to encouraging the mental wellness of Black women and girls, including a free podcast aimed at making mental health topics accessible.
Liberate Meditation
A free meditation app designed by and for People of Color.
Therapy for Black Kids
“Welcome to Therapy for Black Kids! We are dedicated to helping Black parents raise healthy kids in the 21st century.” -Dr. Earl Turner, Founder and Executive Director.
Therapy for Black Men
Primarily a therapist directory for Black Men seeking therapy; includes some additional resources.
This free toolkit from the Community Healing Network and the Association of Black Psychologists guides you through healing in the face of cultural trauma.
An additional 44 Mental Health Resources for Black People
trying to survive in this country because Black lives, Black bodies, and Black minds matter.
The Safe Place
A free app offering mental health resources and self-care tips for the Black Community.
Racial Trauma Guide
Racial Trauma during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Mental Health Provider Directories
Inclusive Therapists
Virtual directory of culturally competent and social justice-oriented therapists; includes a list of therapists currently offering reduced-fee teletherapy
Black Therapists Rock
Reversing Racial Trauma through Collective Healing. “We do this by healing the healers! Our vision is to foster self-compassion, confidence, and inner peace for 100,000 black healers.” (Providers can add their listing.)
Latinx Therapy
Virtual directory of mental health providers (therapists and speakers) for Latinx community
QTPoC Mental Health Community Resources
A directory of Community Resources across the country for queer and trans people of color, provided by the National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network. Page includes Crisis Hotlines, Online Support, and Organizations
Black Emotional And Mental Health (BEAM) Virtual Wellness Directory
Virtual directory of Black mental health clinicians who provide virtual (i.e. telemedicine) services
Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation Resource Directory
Virtual directory of mental health providers, programs and resource materials for the African-American community
Black Mental Health Alliance
Virtual directory of culturally competent and patient-centered licensed mental health professionals
Melanin & Mental Health Directory
Virtual directory of culturally competent mental health clinicians for Black & Latinx/Hispanic communities
Scholarship Guide for Black Students
(A detailed and extensive compilation provided by mastersinpsychology.com)
“Along with U.S. government financial aid, there are many national and local organizations that offer scholarships, grants, and helpful resources to Black students seeking to further their education.
Our Scholarships Guide for Black Students highlights U.S. National, Regional and HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) Scholarships in addition to relevant podcasts.”
Table Of Contents
National Scholarships for Black Students
Regional Scholarships for Black Students
Scholarships at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
Black or African American Related Podcasts
Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network (MHTTC)
Funded by SAMHSA
The COVID-19 era, in conjunction with the fight for social justice reform across the United States, has made celebrating the strength and resilience of the Black community even more important. Socioeconomic factors including poverty, mass incarceration, and the United States’ history of discrimination and racism, continue to result in a lack of adequate mental health care in populations needing these vital services. Our Network remains committed to addressing these needs and improving mental health services for Black communities.
Across our Network, Centers are celebrating this month by hosting several events and sharing resources for mental health professionals, the community, and allies.
Resources from our Network:
• Co-Occurring Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorder Treatment in the Black Community
• Cultural and Linguistic Appropriate Services (CLAS) Standards in Behavioral Health Settings: African American
• Engaging African Americans in Substance Use Disorder Treatment
• Even One is Too Many- Preventing Suicide among Black American Boys and Girls
• Liberty, Humiliation, and Identity: Race and the Suffering of America
• Post-traumatic Stress in the African American Community
• Practice Brief: Cultural Considerations in Applying Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to Racial & Ethnic Minority Groups with Serious Mental Illness
• Racial Equity and Cultural Diversity Webpage
• Racial Equity Resource Packet
• Saving Young Black Lives: Reversing Suicide Trends Podcast
• Schizophrenia Diagnosis and Treatment in the Black Community
• Social Justice and COVID-19
• Supporting the Resilience of Young LGBTQA+ Black, Indigenous, and People of Color: A Let’s Talk About Resilience Conversation
• Treating Grief and Loss in Black Children and Youth
• Use and Misuse of Psychological Testing in the Evaluation of Black Patients
African American Behavioral Health | CENTER OF EXCELLENCE
“The African American Behavioral Health Center of Excellence is a new national Center funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Our academic home is the National Center for Primary Care, Morehouse School of Medicine.
We are determined to help our field transform behavioral health services for African Americans, making them: Safer, More effective, More accessible, More inclusive More welcoming, More engaging, and More culturally appropriate and responsive.
We will do this through collaboration, training, technical assistance, and a variety of written and recorded resources. Our efforts will be guided by: A distinguished Executive Advisory Board; An innovative Black Stakeholders Engagement Council reaching deep into the community, and A National Strategic Partners Group. Our work will remain rooted in our main goals:“
Learn more
National Council on Mental Wellbeing
The National Council wishes to share new content, resources and learning opportunities – from our “Health Equity and Racial Justice” online directory and healthy equity toolkit to our BH365 blog and newsletters.