The Mental, Physical, Resources Black Women & Men Should Know

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I grew up admiring the women and men in my family for their constant, unwavering strength in a society that was not built for them. I use their stories to motivate me and to keep going regardless of the obstacles that may come my way like the generations of marginalization and oppression that impeded us to pursuit freedom and equality; to systemic institutional and cultural factors that continue to impede quality of life at disproportionately high rates, it can be argued that trauma is an integral part of the Black Male and Female American experience, as baked in as the legacy of mistreatment that continues to impact their everyday lives.

Knowing where you can go to get support, advice, or treatment to deal with spiritual, mental, and physical health issues is crucial. Whether it’s an online resource, a hotline you can call, or a session you can attend.

“If we are going to build emotional immunity to stress, we must attend to the core areas of sleep, exercise, and nutrition to create a foundation of emotional wellness.”

As I did my research to search to help relieve the tensions in your mind and seek the help and comfort that you need at this time (and in the future), I wanted to provide you with some useful wellness resources, accounts to follow, podcasts to stream, specialized therapist directories, and more.

Click on the link below for a free copy of a downloadable “Black Women United Note.” And “Black Men Matter.”

Downloadable Links: 

https://5j1cbe.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Black-Women-United-Notes.pdf

Black Men Matter – Examining Mental Health Issues Among Black Men – A Guide To Freedom

Here are some things you can do now to support your emotional and mental health.

Instagram Accounts To Follow 

@SadGirlsClub

We’re a 501c3 org committed to showing up for black women & POC, creating community & providing resources to better your mental health

@TheLovelandFoundation

@Black_Minds_Matter

We provide a trusted forum for culturally-competent mental health programs and services for Black and marginalized communities.

@BrownGirlSelfCare

Their mission is to “help Black women healing from trauma go from ‘every once in a while’ self-care to everyday self-care,” and they do so through self-love reminders, wellness chats, thought-provoking messages, support, and more.

@DecolonizingTherapy

Run by Dr. Jennifer Mullan, a clinical psychologist, this account is full of talks and conversations regarding current issues’ effects on well-being, discussions about the importance and justification of rage, wellness resources, and call-to-action graphics regarding decolonizing therapy and mental health.

@Dr.MarielBuque

Therapist Dr. Mariel Buquè’s Instagram feed features graphics to help make positive mental shifts and create affirmations and is full of wellness exercises, breathing techniques, facts and information, and advice for dealing with trauma and grief, among many other things.

 

Podcasts to Stream

Therapy For Black Girls

Created by a licensed psychologist and public speaker Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, this podcast features in-depth discussions about current issues and pop-culture from a Black perspective, everyday mental health best practices, wellness tips, interviews with notable figures, and more. 

Hey, Girl

This podcast is all about storytelling through candid and insightful conversations with guests. Alex Elle discusses love, mindfulness, music, coping techniques, and more with friends and family members.

 

Ourselves Black

Featuring talks with various certified Black psychologists, psychiatrists, educators, and more (including Dr. Michelle Durham, Dr. Annelle Primm, and Dr. Ericka Goodwin), this podcast focuses on matters specific to the Black experience and mental health. Their site also contains an online magazine, full of stories and resources to help you on your wellness journey.

 

H.E.R Space Podcast

All about having “Uplifting Conversations for the Black Woman,” this podcast has new episodes every Friday hosted by Dr. Dominique Broussard (a professor and psychologist) and Terri Lomax (a branding expert). They discuss everything from self-care and relationships to current events and coping mechanisms.

 

Celeste the Therapist

This podcast by therapist Celeste Viciere is intended to cover “ways to shift your mindset and change your thought process.” It may happen that you get stuck in a negative mindset that causes you to spiral, so her podcast aims to help you break out of that and change the way your mind processes these feelings.

 

Virtual Therapy Networks and Directories

These various organizations are dedicated to helping Black women, marginalized individuals, and People of Color find and sustain mental health support. They can help you access virtual therapist networks in which you can find the right licensed and certified Black therapists for you in your area.

Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective (BEAM)

National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network

Melanin and Mental Health

Psychology Today’s African-American Therapist Directory

Black Female Therapists

Therapy For Black Girls

Inclusive Therapists

Resources

Crisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741741

SAMHSA: Helpline– 800-662-HELP (4357) –FindTreatment.gov

Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 800-273-TALK (8255)

Veterans Crisis Line – Call 800a273a8255; Text 838255

Homeless Veterans – 877-4AID-VET

Substance Abuse Helpline – 800-662-HELP

Trans Lifeline: 888-490-0365

GLBT National Hotline: 888-490-0365

Anti-Violence Programs: 212a714a1141

Suicide Hotlines

National Suicide Prevention Hotline – Crisis hotline: 800 273 TALK (8255)

Crisis Text Line – Text 741741

The Trevor Project – Crisis hotline: 866­a488a7386 (for those ages 13­-24)

Foundation for Suicide Prevention. – Suicide Prevention during COVID-19.

Grief After Suicide – After Suicide Resource Directory

COVID-19 Resources

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – COVID-19 Resource

Crisis Text Line – Text 741741 to speak with a trained Crisis Counselor.

 

Here are some more ways to relax and stay focus on your mental health.

Manage medications

If you have a diagnosis and have been prescribed medication to manage your mental health, keep taking it. And if you can’t afford your medication, due to job loss, loss of insurance, or other issues, there are resources available.

Establish a routine

Get a schedule and try to stick to it daily. Routine is so important in managing your mental and physical health.

Eat healthy

Fresh healthy food, like fruits and vegetables, is important to manage your physical and mental well-being. Avoid high fat and high sugar foods that offer empty calories.

Exercise

Get some fresh air and exercise. You may not be able to go to a gym at this point, but there are many online classes that can help you get 30 minutes plus of mood-lifting exercise.

Yoga practices can help boost both mental and physical health. Or just get out and walk.

Be sure to practice physical distancing, also referred to as social distancing, and wear a mask, if you are going to be around other people.

Make an uplifting playlist

Get a playlist of your favorite music. It can help lift your mood and calm your anxiety and fears. It may be gospel, jazz, hip hop, old school, pop, or any other type of music.

Establish connections

Find new ways to connect with family, friends, and colleagues.

One of the biggest concerns is the isolation we are all feeling from staying in the house. Reach out to friends via social media, phone calls, and video streaming services. These tools can help us feel connected.

Nourish your spirit

Don’t ignore your spiritual health.

Meditation, faith, and prayer are all important at times like these. Just because we can’t go to service right now don’t mean that we can’t worship at a distance together.

Connect virtually.

Bottom Line

Try not to focus on the things you cannot change right now. Instead, focus on the things you can control.

Never be afraid to reach out for help; whether you use virtual therapy or choose to call a hotline, stay connected.

And remember that it will get better if we stay connected.

I’ve listed some links:

Cause We Care foundation: https://causewecare.org/

Silence the Shame Organization: https://silencetheshame.com/who-we-are/mission.html

The H.O.P.E. Center: https://hopecenterharlem.org/

The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation: https://borislhensonfoundation.org/ Light On Foundation: http://www.lightonfoundation.com/

Safe Black Space: https://www.safeblackspace.org/

Therapy for Black Men: https://therapyforblackmen.org/

African – American Mental Health Providers: http://aamhp.com/

Resources

https://www.sunshinebehavioralhealth.com/mental-health-issues-facing-the-black-community/

https://www.sunshinebehavioralhealth.com/resources/covid-19-reveals-mental-health-crisis-among-healthcare-professionals/