10 Mental Health Resources Supporting The Black Community

The last two weeks have been nothing short of overwhelming. Emotions have ranged from sadness, anger, to a sense of global heaviness and an internal drive for urgency and action.  For those in the Black community, the weight of the last few days is only a small fraction of oppression that has long stigmatized the Black community especially in regards to mental health and mental health accessibility.

According to Mental Health America, Black Americans are 20% more likely to report serious psychological distress compared to adult White Americans. And it’s not only adults facing severe mental health burdens. Over 25% of Black children who are exposed to violence during their adolescence are at a higher risk of developing PTSD.

Below is a list of mental health resources that have been created specifically for Black and marginalized communities. This list is not exhaustive of all the resources available currently and will continue to be updated.

Therapy For Black Girls

Therapy for Black Girls was created by Dr. Joy Harden Bradford who started her business to ensure mental health topics and accessibility were relevant and attainable for Black women.  Therapy for Black Girls offers resources to find a therapist in person or online, a community space to encourage and support, and a weekly podcast hosted by Dr. Bradford for continued conversations around mental health in the Black community.

Black Men Heal

Black Men Heal is a free resource for Black men to help remove the stigma around traditional gender norms designed to enhance an image of masculinity while partnering Black men with a therapist they can identify with and are comfortable discussing cultural stressors such as racism, economic disparity, and prejudices. Individuals are asked to apply online or have their health care provider apply on their behalf. The organization will then assess their needs and pair them with the right therapist.

Inclusive Therapists

Inclusive Therapists is an online therapy community focused on culturally responsive, social justice orientated therapists.  Their platform was specifically created to address the needs of those in marginalized populations and provide mental health treatment options while also devoting themselves to advocacy and activism.  You can find a therapist in their network by searching your local area or connect with an online therapist through their reduced-fee teletherapy.

Black Mental Wellness

Black Mental Wellness is a community platform founded by clinical psychologists that provide resources and on-going education about mental and behavioral health topics from a Black community perspective. Their goal is to decrease mental health stigma in the black community by providing a list of mental health apps, coping and wellness resources, and mental wellness podcasts.

Black Female Therapists

Black Female Therapists was created to help promote Black female therapists across the country and promote Black mental health discussions and accessibility. You can connect with a licensed therapist in your area or connect virtually with one of their therapists in-network. The platform also offers a directory for Black male therapists available in your area or in-network for a virtual session.

Melanin and Mental Health

Melanin and Mental Health was created to ensure individuals have access to culturally competent mental health professionals. Individuals can utilize their online directory and search for therapists in a specific area. Each therapist hosted on the site offers their own specialized care and might be available for online therapy.  Please check with the individual therapist to find out. Melanin and Mental Health also hosts the Between Sessions podcast.

Loveland Foundation

The Loveland Foundation partners with other Black organizations focusing on mental health awareness to offer a comprehensive list of mental health professionals across the country for Black women and young girls. The goal of the Loveland Foundation is to ensure Black women and girls always have access to mental health care and are able to seek mental health treatment without the financial burden.

Black Therapists Rock

Black Therapists Rock offers an online directory to find Black therapists and mental health providers in your area. Their goal is to provide ongoing connection and support between Black individuals and Black mental health professionals.  The organization also hosts a private Facebook group for community support and discussion.

Ayana Therapy

Ayana Therapy is a mobile app designed to match individuals with licensed therapists, connecting marginalized minorities with mental health professionals that will address specific needs when it comes to mental health and racial disparity in the Black community.  An individual will be paired with a licensed professional based on their background and values.

The Steve Fund

The Steve Fund is an organization focused on promoting programs and ongoing access to resources that assist and understand the mental and emotional health for younger people of color. In addition to working with universities, non-profits, and other partnerships, The Steve Fund offers community conversations with students across the country and powers a crisis line for people of color. Text STEVE to 741741 to speak with a crisis counselor immediately.

There is still work to be done

At RxSaver, our mission is to improve health through the power of savings. We feel that mission is more relevant now than ever, as recent events have pushed conversations around community health and mental health– particularly in relation to Black Americans– into sharper focus. We reject racism. We believe in inclusivity, equality and justice for all.

The conversation doesn’t begin and end today. We recognize this list is far from complete, and we commit to continue adding to it. If a mental health resource or organization is missing in the above list, please email [email protected] with the name and direct link to the resource.