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National Resource Toolkit: Virtual Mental Health Resources for Black Women
Virtual Mental Health Resources for Black Women
Resource and article BY SHANNON BARBOUR
If you need mental health assistance right now, call the NAMI Helpline at 800-950-NAMI or text “NAMI” to 741741.
Black lives matter, and so does Black mental health. The Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health reports that African Americans are 10 percent more likely to experience serious psychological distress. At the same time, only 30 percent of African American adults with mental illnesses get help each year, which is below the U.S. average of 43 percent.
Racism and racial trauma continue to affect the mental well-being of Black people, who already face so many obstacles when it comes to receiving mental health treatment. As the National Alliance on Mental Illness stated, “Racism is a public health crisis.”
If you feel like the continued incidents of police brutality, the demoralizing legal proceedings like in Breonna Taylor’s case, and the lack of justice for Black lives (on top of living in a society that upholds systems of racism) are taking a toll on your mental health, here are some resources that could help you, your friends, or your family right now: Black lives matter, and so does Black mental health
The Loveland Foundation: Loveland Foundation is committed to showing up for communities of color in unique and powerful ways, with a particular focus on Black women and girls.
Through our partnerships with Therapy for Black Girls, National Queer & Trans Therapists of Color Network, Talkspace and Open Path Collective, Loveland Therapy Fund recipients will have access to comprehensive lists of mental health professionals across the country providing high quality, culturally competent services to Black women and girls. With therapy sessions costing an average of $80 – $200 per session, we have selected the previously mentioned directories to increase the likelihood that participants are able to financially afford therapy after the end of the 4-12 sessions supported by The Loveland Foundation’s Therapy Fund. Black women and girls deserve access to healing, and that healing will impact generations.
HOW TO APPLY
If you are a Black woman or girl who would like financial assistance seeking therapy please click here to fill out our Therapy Fund signup form.
Up To Parents: FREE resources for those who are separated, going through a divorce, or are divorced to help their mental and financial state during the separation from their spouses. In the simplest terms, Up to parents show separated and divorced parents how to build their better futures by focusing on meeting their children's needs. We charge nothing, and our only hope is that increasing numbers of parents and professionals will see the overwhelming advantages of abandoning the idea of separation and divorce as disputes in favor of a truly child-focused way forward.
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The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation was created by actress and author, Taraji P. Henson to provide support and bring awareness to mental health issues that plague our community.
No one should have to suffer in silence.
Virtual Therapy Services are NOW AVAILABLE. Click here to get started!
If you need IMMEDIATE help with thoughts of harming yourself or others, please call the National Suicide Helpline at: 1-800-273-8255
The National Sexual Assault Online Hotline: Calling the National Sexual Assault Hotline gives you access to a range of free services including:
- Confidential support from a trained staff member
- Support finding a local health facility that is trained to care for survivors of sexual assault and offers services like sexual assault forensic exams
- Someone to help you talk through what happened
- Local resources that can assist with your next steps toward healing and recovery
- Referrals for long term support in your area
- Information about the laws in your community
- Basic information about medical concerns
SAMHSA National Helpline: Provides treatment referral and information service for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
SAMHSA Step-by-Step Guide to Wellness: This guide offers a broad approach for things we can do—at our own pace, in our own time, and within our own abilities—that can help us feel better and live longer.
Sunshine Behavioral Health: Help is here. SBH is here to help support those in our community facing mental health issues. “Racism is a public health crisis,” according to a May 2020 statement from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). This means that racism — whether unintentional, unconsciously, or concealed — has affected Black Americans’ access to equal and “culturally competent” health care.
American Red Cross: You are not alone. Contact the Red Cross for emergency aid. You are not alone! The thousands of staff and volunteers of the Red Cross are here for you with emergency aid when you need it most, and also advice and assistance to help you recover from a disaster or become better prepared to face one in the future.