Focusing on your mental health is an important aspect to well-being, but due to the stigma surrounding mental health, many people are afraid or embarrassed to discuss what they're going through and seek help from qualified professionals. Within the Black community, racism and socioeconomic issues, like poverty, are a few factors impacting the mental health of Black people. The lack of culturally competent providers, a mistrust of the medical community, and stigma surrounding mental health has led to Black people going untreated and being misdiagnosed when they do opt to seek support.
Because of this, activists and experts in mental health have created a variety of resources – like podcasts, therapy apps, directories, and online groups — with the goal of continuing to educate Black people about mental health, erasing the stigma around mental health, and helping Black people improve their overall well-being. Whether you're looking for low- to no-cost resources, need help finding a culturally competent therapist, or are looking for a safe space to learn and be vulnerable, the following 25 platforms dedicated to the well-being of Black people are a good starting point. As a gentle reminder, these platforms are not meant to replace any treatment you are considering or are currently receiving.
Digital Therapy Platforms and Communities:
The Loveland Foundation: the Loveland Foundation prioritizes opportunity, access, validation, and healing for Black girls and Black women. Sad Girls Club: Sad Girls Club is an initiative bringing girls and women who have mental health conditions together. The goal is to remove the stigma surrounding mental health, provide mental health services to those who don't have access to therapy and treatment, and create in-person, safe spaces so that young girls and women don't feel alone when it comes to their mental health. Black Mental Wellness: Black mental wellness is providing Black people with evidence-based information and resources on mental health and behavioral health topics. Saddie Baddies: Saddie Baddies is a virtual space space for women of color focusing on destigmatizing mental health. Black Men Heal: Black Men Heal is an organization providing access to mental health treatment, psycho-education, and community resources for men of color. Rest For Resistance: Rest For Resistance is uplifting marginalized communities. One initiative of Rest For Resistance is creating healing spaces for LGBTIQ+ people. Queer, trans, people of color (QTPoC), is a grass-roots, trans-led organization with online and offline safe spaces for trans and queer people of color to practice being their whole selves. Sista Afya: Sista Afya was created to help Black women across the African Diaspora maintain and improve their mental wellness through resources helping them connect with and support one another. Therapy Podcasts:
Latinx Therapy: Latinx Therapy is a podcast centered around mental health topics that are connected to the Latinx community in order to demystify myths and to end the stigma surrounding mental health. Therapy For Black Girls: the Therapy For Black Girls podcast is a weekly podcast covering all things mental health and personal development. Between Sessions: the Between Sessions podcasts is like an extension to therapy sessions (but definitely not meant to be used as treatment or replace any treatment you may be receiving), covering everything from grief to setting healthy boundaries. Brown Girl Self-Care: Brown Girl Self-Care is a podcast focusing on physical, spirtual, and emotional well-being for women of color. Balanced Black Girl: Balanced Black Girl is a safe space for women of color to discuss wellness, self-care, and self-love.