As we finish the month of May and embrace the season of new beginnings, it’s crucial to prioritize our mental health. Black Women especially need to understand that their mental well-being is essential daily. Overcoming depression can be challenging, but life can be more manageable and enjoyable with the right support system. We’ve identified five Black Women-owned mental health organizations and communities that support mental health by providing sisterhood and an array of valuable resources. By coming together, sharing experiences, and improving well-being, these organizations empower Black Women to flourish.
1. The Loveland Foundation — Founded by Rachel Cargle
Black Women are superheroes who carry heavy loads of life, and sometimes, a deep breath is needed. Unfortunately, mental health support for Black Women is a conversation that tends to take a backseat, but no more. Founded in 2018 by Rachel Cargle, The Loveland Foundation has made it their mission to unite Black Women. They provide space for healing, access to therapists and counselors, validation of emotional and physical trauma, and open discussions on how Black Women mental health issues can impact future generations.
The Loveland Foundation Therapy Fund
The Loveland Foundation Instagram
2. Black Girls Smile — Founded by Lauren Carson
Black Girls Smile is a non-profit organization founded by Lauren Carson and dedicated to supporting young Black Women. Their active programs, including SHE’s Mentally Prepared and Black Girls Are Magic, span three, six, and nine months and provide resourceful connections, virtual discussion sessions, mental health literacy programs, intersectionality workshops, and therapy scholarship programs. Black Girls Smile places a high value on Black Women’s wellness and aims to bring them out of dark moments and into the sun. Never lose your smile because the world needs it.
Black Girls Smile Programs
Black Girls Smile Instagram
3. Joyfully Black — Founded by Joy Dixon Paul
The unity of sisterhood in the form of a mental health podcast is the epitome of Joyfully Black, founded by Joy Dixon Paul. Joy founded her podcast-driven organization to have Black Women’s experiences heard and shared worldwide. Each episode features well-known therapists, counselors, and advocates for mental health, such as Dr. Avis Jones-DeWeever, to showcase the different paths Black Women take in life. Discussions include building a family, career exploration, motherhood, generational trauma, community building, and financial hardships. In addition, Joyfully Black prioritizes Black Women’s power of self-advocacy because it can pave the way to a refreshed state of mind.
4. Black Girls Breathing — Founded by Jasmine Marie
Black Girls Breathing is a mental health community showing Black Women that breathing through their trauma is their right and that it’s OK to not be OK! Jasmine Marie built the breathwork platform to provide services presented in spiritual wellness, trauma healing, journal prompts, audio meditations, mental health therapy, and professional coaching. Her programs, such as the Sunday Balm Membership Program, emphasizes the importance of deep meditational breathing techniques. Black Women will work through the bodily stress that envelopes them and learn how to breathe through issues that can impact both body and mind-like grief, paternal and maternal abuse, self-esteem, self-worth, trauma bonds, friendships, and more.
Black Girls Breathing Catalog
Black Girls Breathing Instagram
5. Sista Afya — Founded by Camesha L. Jones
Bringing together Black Women from around the Africa Diaspora is the standard behind this multi–Black Women-led mental health organization. Camesha L. Jones created Sista Afya as an open, safe space for Black Women to be free from psychological and physical illness by providing helpful tools to benefit a mentally healthier life. Sista Afya offers a community support approach through mental health education, support system strategies, finance therapy education, and hotlines for access to local therapists and counselors. Sista Afya is changing how the world views Black Women’s mental health. They firmly believe in healing and growth, and by joining their organization, the journey to a stronger mind and body will be empowering.
Sista Afya Sessions
Sista Afya Instagram
Lead Image: Jasmine Marie – Black Girls Breathing
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