Mental Health America’s Post

July is BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to shine a compassionate light on the unique mental health challenges faced by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. This month, we come together to acknowledge the disparities and barriers that BIPOC individuals often encounter when seeking mental health support. Mental health issues do not discriminate, yet systemic racism, cultural stigmas, and lack of access to culturally-competent care can make it exponentially harder for BIPOC people to get the help they need. It's important that we approach this topic with empathy and understanding. BIPOC communities have endured generations of trauma, oppression, and marginalization that deeply impact their overall wellbeing. This month, let us listen, learn, and find ways to advocate for more inclusive, equitable mental health resources and support. Together, we can work towards a future where everyone has the freedom to prioritize their mental health without fear or shame. #BIPOC #MENTALHEALTH #MENTALHEALTHMATTERS

Learning about how race, culture, and identity factor into mental health is the first step in understanding the unique lived experiences of everyone and addressing inequality. Download our toolkit here: https://bit.ly/44oheMe

Juneteenth marks the day enslaved people in Texas finally received news of their freedom. While this was a monumental step, the fight for true liberation continues, including freedom from mental health stigma. Here at Hearts 4 Minds, we celebrate the resilience of Black communities and their ongoing pursuit of justice. We also recognize the unique mental health challenges faced by Black Americans. This Juneteenth, let's commit to: 💚 Breaking down barriers to mental health care for all. 💚 Promoting culturally competent mental health resources. 💚 Creating safe spaces for open conversations about mental health. Together, we can build a future where everyone has the freedom to thrive, mentally and physically. ✊ #Juneteenth #MentalHealthAwareness #BlackMentalHealthMatters #Hearts4Minds

Virtual Discussion on Social Justice: TRAUMA, STRESS, & MENTAL HEALTH This month’s series will feature licensed professionals and community leaders, including Commissioner Charlie Caswell, Jr., District 6, Brandy J. Flynn, mental health counselor, and Dr. Audrey L. Townsel, psychologist. These panelists will discuss the impact of trauma, stress, and mental health it has on our communities and explore strategies for healing and resilience. This is an opportunity for the public to engage with experts, share experiences, and learn to champion mental well-being and justice for all. ***WE DO NOT OWN THE RIGHTS TO THIS MUSIC***

Embracing Mental Health for Black Women 🌺 At Circle In A Square Counseling, we recognize that the stigma surrounding mental health issues and therapy can often hinder Black women from seeking help. That's why we proudly support and recommend Therapy for Black Girls—an empowering space thoughtfully developed to present mental health topics in a way that feels relatable and accessible. Let's break the barriers together and empower Black women to prioritize their mental well-being. Explore the wealth of empowering resources and information available at Therapy for Black Girls to start your journey toward healing.

Culture, community, and connection are pillars that support and uplift BIPOC communities facing oppression and systemic racism. Learn more in Mental Health America’s #BIPOCMentalHealth Toolkit: https://lnkd.in/eFCvxvS

🎯 “Turning everything into anger” = anger as a ‘cover emotion’… ie, underneath the (expression of) anger are the primary unpleasant feelings one is really feeling… 1) Why would unpleasant feelings like embarrassment, sadness, vulnerability, etc be expressed as anger? 💡One important, common reason is how the culture in which we develop sends messages about what feelings are “acceptable” for certain groups of people (eg, men) & shape our emotional lives/experience. That, however, doesn’t erase the feelings underneath. 2) Why would we want to access & feel these other unpleasant feelings? 💡Feelings relate to needs (Rosenberg, 2003). We tend to feel pleasant feelings when our needs are met and unpleasant feelings when our needs are not met. Certain feelings tend to relate to certain needs. For example, we tend to feel frustration when our need for progress toward a goal is thwarted/delayed. We tend to feel embarrassment when we don’t show up how we wanted or when others react harshly (or we *imagine* they do) to how we showed up. Intensity often relates to the importance of a need & how deprived we feel. 💭Imagine if an athlete cut themselves off from or ignored bodily feelings. Recognized early, a nagging pain in the knee might only signal a need for additional stretching or new running shoes. Ignored, it might go away, or it might become tendonitis — it begins to routinely hurt so bad it forces us to pay attention & address the need/get help. So it is with our unpleasant (& pleasant) feelings.

As we celebrate Juneteenth, a day that symbolizes freedom and emancipation, it's essential to recognize the profound connection between this historic occasion and mental health. Juneteenth marks the end of slavery in the United States. Yet, the journey towards true liberation extends beyond physical freedom—it encompasses mental and emotional wellbeing as well. Historical trauma, racism, discrimination, and intergenerational stressors all contribute to significant mental health challenges within Black communities and communities of color. It's crucial to create spaces where individuals feel empowered to address these issues openly and seek support without fear of judgment or stigma. As we celebrate Juneteenth, let's prioritize mental health awareness and advocacy within our communities. #WhatMakesUs #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #Juneteenth #Omaha #CouncilBluffs #OmahaMetro

July is BIPOC Mental Health Month. A month dedicated to raising awareness about the unique mental health challenges faced by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, addressing systemic barriers to quality care, amplifying voices, and celebrating resilience and cultural strengths. How do we do this? 👇 ▪️ Advocate for culturally competent care in local healthcare systems ▪️ Share resources on social media ▪️ Support BIPOC-owned businesses in the community ▪️ Volunteer for organizations that support this mission ▪️ Listen without judgment when someone shares their struggles ▪️ Take some time to educate yourself on the unique challenges faced by BIPOC individuals -- racial trauma, intersectionality, discrimination, etc. What question(s) do you have about BIPOC mental health that you've always wanted to ask? This is a safe space to learn. #BIPOCMentalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #MentalHealthMatters #BIPOCAwareness #CounselingServices #Support #Wellness

In an article featured in the Barber Shop Chronicles, Nafsiyat's Clinical Director, Baffour Ababio, explores the crucial subject of mental health within Black communities, shedding light on the pervasive fear and stigma that discourage men from speaking out about their struggles. Baffour unravels the layers of cultural and societal influences that shape perceptions of mental illness, drawing from his personal journey and experience at Nafsiyat to highlight the urgent need for culturally sensitive mental health support. Baffour's reflections on the role of barbershops as potential sanctuaries for open dialogue about mental health underscore a novel approach to community-based support, advocating for the integration of therapeutic knowledge within these communal spaces. His insights are a call to action for society at large to re-evaluate and enhance the ways we address mental health in diverse communities. Baffour's article is a powerful reminder of the work that still lies ahead in demystifying mental health, promoting early intervention, and building inclusive support systems that respect and reflect the cultural nuances of the communities they serve. It is a compelling read for anyone committed to advancing mental health awareness and care in our increasingly multicultural society. To read the full article, click here: https://lnkd.in/eJ8YaUpQ #MentalHealthAwareness #InterculturalTherapy #BlackMentalHealth #MentalHealthStigma #InterculturalTherapy #BarberShopChronicles #BaffourAbabio