BLACK MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS
Racism has had a major impact on the mental health of Black Americans. Recent events of police brutality, coupled with the devastating effects of Covid-19, has brought more attention to the effects of racism in the Black Community. Despite calls for change, little has been done to address systemic racism. Feelings of anger, sadness, and anxiety that arises during repeated incidents of racism should be better examined and processed with competent Mental Health Professionals.
Over 7 million Black Americans reported having mental health issues. Adult Black Americans are 20% more likely to report serious psychological distress than adult White Americans but far less likely to seek care. Additionally, many Black men and women lack access to proper mental health care. Less than 2% of Licensed Mental Health Practitioners are Black, which generates concerns that many Mental Health Therapists are not well equipped to treat specific issues in the Black Community.
Racial trauma is real
Racism is a virus that affect all of us. Because of the pervasiveness of systemic, explicit and implicit racism, we all have a duty to end it and help those most impacted heal.
It is not enough to “not be racist,” we have to be actively anti-racist by striving to rededicate ourselves, love our neighbors, and become the change we wish to see.
This fund is a place for non-Black people to tangibly put their outrage, sadness, shock, fear, anger and solidarity into action to actively support Black-led healing from the impacts of white supremacy through mental health supports for Black people.
“The time is always right to do what is right.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.