News & Updates
Special Mental Health Edition
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Maintaining Mental Health in the Black Community |
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The COVID-19 pandemic caused disproportionate financial and health harms to Black Americans. Additionally, on top of all of this, systematic racism continually reinforces existing barriers to nearly every other aspect of Black life, many of which stem from various socioeconomic injustices.
On top of all this, African American communities are at a greater risk than other groups of experiencing:
- PTSD (particularly among young people)
- Stress-induced changes in reproductive cells and in the uterus, which can lead to negative outcomes in fetal development
- Clinical anxiety and depression
- Cultural stigmas around mental illness that prevent Black individuals from acknowledging their needs and seeking out psychological support
- Barriers to mental health resources, such as lack of health insurance or geographic access to therapists
- Prejudice and discrimination in the healthcare system that cause African American individuals to be un- or underdiagnosed with mental and other health conditions
Read about ways you can attain and maintain good mental health HERE.
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Practicing Self Compassion |
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This month is a good time to focus on our emotional, social, and psychological well-being for ourselves and for our children. As a parent and a mental health provider, I have seen first-hand the impact that stress and not taking proper care of ourselves can have on children, teens, and parents.
Here are just a few stats on the harmful impacts of poor mental health care:
- 20-25% of adolescents experience a depressive disorder before finishing high school. (Kashani & Orvaschel, 1990)
- Higher prevalence of depression in girls (Abela & Hankin, 2011)
- Mental health disorders increase the potential for substance abuse, poor school attendance, violence against self and others, and risky behaviors.(Albano, Chorpita, & Bartlow, 2003; Crocetti, Klimstra, Keijers, Hale & Meesus, 2009; Hammon & Randolph,2003)
In recent years, there has been a gradual shift in the mental health field towards a more holistic approach. We are looking at the person as a whole being and incorporating more non-traditional forms of therapy into our work.
Read more from Licensed Social Worker and AAWP Advisory Board Member Stacey Billups, LMSW.
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AAWP's Mental Health Initiative |
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The COVID-19 pandemic took an unprecedented toll on the African American community and inferior housing, and economic conditions caused minority communities to be placed at a higher risk for contracting and dying from COVID-19. Due to these circumstances coupled with the ongoing mental health crisis in the Black community, AAWP launched a mental health initiative addressing these important concerns.
Components of AAWP's Mental Health Initiative include:
- Conducting a survey among educators that will inform our plan,
- Wellness Checks on the AAWP website for depression and stress,
- Launching a social media campaign destigmatizing treatment for mental health issues,
- Conducting focus groups among black psychiatrists and mental health providers about how to best screen for mental health issues among this populations, and
- And virtual events for parents on how to deal with mental health issues among children and techniques to cope.
"We know that health disparities, like mental health, will exist if we allow them to continue, and that through initiatives like these we can start to reduce some of these disparities in the health and health care for African Americans,” said Monique Pittman, Executive Director of AAWP.
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AAWP is listed as #1 of 9 Mental Health Programs Specifically Made for the Black Community |
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In the Black community, talking about mental health issues and seeking help have historically been seen as weaknesses — even though these conditions continue to affect our communities on a much larger scale than our white counterparts. With that being said, several programs and organizations are working day in and day out to support Black youth, women and men on their mental wellness journeys with AAWP being listed as number 1 of 9 resources according to Revolt . CLICK HERE to read more.
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Do You Know Someone in Crisis? |
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If you know someone in crisis, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The Lifeline provides 24-hour, confidential support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Call 911 in life-threatening situations. If you are worried about a friend’s social media updates, you can contact safety teams at the social media company. They will reach out to connect the person with the help they need.
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Black Men Don't Cry, The Emotional Wellness of African American Males |
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Last year, the AAWP partnered with Lincoln Families and Emmy and NAACP Award Winning Oakland producer P. Frank Williams, for a documentary screening and discussion about how Black Men can heal the unexpressed pain and trauma of a toxically masculine society.
During this event, attendees viewed the four-episode docuseries from producer and panelists P. Frank Williams, “Profiled: The Black Man,” which examines the origins of the widespread stereotypes that have permeated society and impacted the lives of Black males in America for centuries.
“Talking about mental health in the African American community used to be taboo. But once again the African American Wellness Project continues to break barriers,” said P. Frank Williams. “I was so happy to screen my series with the audience and also share my own personal mental health story.”
Immediately following the panel, Oakland based panelists: P. Frank Williams, Crestwood Behavioral Health Specialist Dr. George Woods, and Founder and Chief Executive Officer of I Never Worry D.B. Bedford participated in a discussion moderated by Executive Director of Community and Youth Outreach Dr. Macheo Payne.
Click here to read more and watch Black Men Don't Cry. |
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Like, Follow and Subscribe |
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LIKE, FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE to the AAWP Social Media Channels for up-to-date information on African American Health and Wellness! We are a trusted megaphone for the Black community when it comes to health conditions that affect you and your family. Get SOCIAL with the AAWP today!
YouTube: @AfricanAmericanWellnessProject
Twitter: @TheAAWP
Facebook/Instagram: @AfricanAmericanWellnessProject
Linkedln: @AfricanAmericanWellnessProject
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Founded more than a decade ago, the African American Wellness Project (AAWP) was formed to respond to health disparities in the African American community and is dedicated to health equity and better health outcomes for people of color. AAWP is particularly focused on improving the health of the African American community by serving as a megaphone for trusted knowledge and information and providing guides and resources that enable and encourage African Americans to advocate for themselves and receive improved care, regardless of insurance or circumstances. Visit www.aawellnessproject.org for more information.
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The African American Wellness Project
2940 Summit St., Oakland, CA 94609
Phone: (202) 210-2470
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