Mental Health Resources to Support the BIPOC Community

It is Black History month! In honor of this month, we wanted to bring awareness to some of the barriers that prevent Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) from receiving the care they need. As well as provide adequate, quality, and culturally supportive resources to promote healing and opportunities for Black communities. With that, unfortunately, there are so many barriers that prevent people in the BIPOC community from receiving proper and quality mental health care. These barriers include stigma, lack of trust within the system, lack of culturally-competent care, racism, discrimination and the list goes on. Daniel H. Gillison Jr., CEO of NAMI National says, “Mental health conditions don’t discriminate, and neither should our mental health system. We are calling for systematic change and improved access to culturally competent care, so no one feels alone in their journey.” We must fight these barriers and make mental health care feel safe and accessible. To do this, we need to first recognize and acknowledge the struggles and trauma that people who are part of the BIPOC community experience and we must listen. We at RTW, believe in the importance and the power of being seen, heard, and understood, as well as receiving proper and adequate care. If you are struggling or if you know a friend or family member that is struggling, please look into these resources below and reach out for help. Although we are not mental health professionals ourselves, we are here to guide you in the right direction. 

To learn more, Live Another Day is a great page that provides quality resources for the BIPOC community. They also have a private helpline for individuals seeking treatment for mental health illness and addiction. If you are seeking help, call them at 1-866-934-6616 they are available 24/7. Lastly, here are the organizations found on their page that we chose to highlight for in honor of Black History Month: 

1. Black Emotional And Mental Health Collective (BEAM): An organization that promotes and advocates for mental health awareness and accessibility in the Black community, they provide a helpful resources page and information on mobile crisis units in every state they are available.

2. Black Mental Health Alliance: A national nonprofit that connects people of color with therapists of color.

3. Sista Afya: A Black Women’s mental health awareness and recovery non-profit organization, their website provides information, resources, and links to care so that Black Women may better protect and improve their mental health.

4. Therapy For Black Girls: A mental health advocacy and awareness organization for Black Women, they also provide a directory of Black therapists in cities all over the country.

5. Black Women’s Health Imperative: An advocacy and support organization, they provide information and resources to help Black women improve and maintain positive mental health practices.

6. Black Girls Smile: A non-profit organization that works to improve mental health and wellness among young black women and girls.

7. Therapy For Black Men: A hub for Black men to get connected with therapists and mental health professionals that can provide compassionate, culturally competent care tailored to the unique challenges and struggles of Black men in America today.

8. Black Men Heal: A mental health support and advocacy site that provides several helpful community programs to help Black men improve and maintain positive mental health practices.

9. Brother, You’re On My Mind: A partnership between the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, this is a fact sheet and resource guide to help Black men identify mental health issues and seek help.

10. 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988 A 24/7 crisis hotline for anyone struggling with thoughts of suicide and other mental health crises.

11. Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741-741 anytime, 24/7 to chat with a crisis counselor. They also have articles written by Black people, for Black people who are struggling with mental health issues.

12. Aakoma Project: A mental health advocacy organization, the Aakoma Project works to educate people about mental health issues so that they can better identify them when they arise and seek appropriate help.

13. QTOC – LGBTQ Psychotherapists of Color: A volunteer organization that provides a database and directory of therapists who specialize in therapy for minority populations.

14. National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network: A mental health support organization, their website provides a searchable directory of therapists who are dedicated to helping queer and trans people of color.

15. The Trevor Project: A non-profit that aims to support young LGBTQ people, they have a helpful guide on supporting the mental health of young Black LGBTQ people.

16. Open Path: A nationwide non-profit organization, Open Path aims to connect people with low-cost, high-quality mental healthcare services either in-person or virtually.

17. Black Mental Wellness: A mental health awareness and advocacy organization, their site provides a wealth of information and resources for Black people who may be struggling with mental health issues.

18. Melanin & Mental Health: A directory of mental health professionals and resources for Black people that can provide listings of culturally competent mental health professionals that are sensitive to the issues facing People of Color.

19. Eustress: A mental health organization that works to increase awareness and improve access to services in underserved communities.

20. The Steve Fund: An organization that aims to improve mental health and wellness among Black American students and adolescents.

21. NAMD Advocates: An advocacy organization that works to increase representation and visibility for Black and Brown people with disabilities.

22. Black Mental Matters: A podcast about mental health issues among Black people, by Black people in the mental health profession.

23. Black Disability Collective: A Facebook Group that is for people who identify as Black and disabled and provides an open forum for discussion and connection.

24. Autistic People of Color Fund: A support and advocacy organization that supports Black and Brown people with autism, they have worked to provide microloans and grants to support marginalized autistic people.

25. Mental Health America – Black History Month: A national non-profit organization, they have a page dedicated to mental health and Black people in America with dozens of helpful and educational resources.

Other Organizations we love: 

• Sad Girls Club: A nonprofit dedicated to destigmatizing mental wellness for millennial and Gen Z women, girls and femmes of color. 

• The Loveland Foundation: An organization committed to showing up for communities of color- with a particular focus of Black women and girls.They provide resources and initiatives to prioritize opportunity, access, validation, and healing. 

Additional BIPOC community support: 

• Latinx & Hispanic: https://liveanotherday.org/bipoc/latinx/

• Queer and Trans Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (QTPOC): https://liveanotherday.org/bipoc/lgbtq/

• Asian Americans: https://liveanotherday.org/bipoc/asian-americans/

   

Overall, if you are struggling or if you know someone that is struggling please don’t hesitate to reach out to a crisis hotline or look into these awesome organizations. We hope this blog post is helpful and if you know any other resources to support the BIPOC community, let us know and we can add it to this post!

You are seen, you are heard, and you are loved. 

Helplines/ Crisis Hotlines: 

1-866-934-6616 

Live Another Day

Text HOME to 741-741

Crisis Text Line

Call or text 988

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline