Mental Health Resources for the African American Community
Dealing with mental health issues before and indeed, during the COVID 19 pandemic has increased worldwide. In particular, within our African American communities, coping with stress and anxiety – coupled with the heightened racial and economic strife – is a national crisis.
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Health) has put together an indispensable resource of organizations and communities that provide tools to help cope with stress and anxiety reaching out specifically to our African American community. The NAMI Black/African American page touches on mental health and the African American community.
Starting on page 4 of NAMI’s comprehensive downloadable directory, the NAMI National Helpline Resource Directory is a list of resources explicitly geared towards African American mental health needs.
Below is the list of resources for adults and children:
Black Mental Health Alliance: (410) 338-2642)
- Provides information and resources and a “Find a Therapist” locator to connect with a culturally competent mental health professional.
- An initiative launched by Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and NIMHD to raise awareness of the mental health challenges associated with depression and stress that affect African American men and families. The website offers an online toolkit that provides Omega Psi Phi Fraternity chapters with the materials needed to educate fellow fraternity brothers and community members on depression and stress in African American men.
Psychology Today: This resource helps you find an African American therapist by state, city, zip code, or name.
Mental Health Resources by State: A list of Black-owned and focused mental health resources provided by Ebony Magazine.
- Provides culturally sensitive self-care support and (fee-for-service) teletherapy for African American men and their families. It’s currently a pilot program, and available only to residents of MD, VA, and DC. Residents of other states can join their waiting list and will be notified when Henry Health is available in their state.
Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation:
- The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation has launched the COVID-19 Free Virtual Therapy Support Campaign to raise money for mental health services provided by licensed clinicians in its network. Individuals with life-changing stressors and anxiety related to the coronavirus will have the cost for up to five (5) individual sessions defrayed on a first-come, first-serve basis until all funds are committed or exhausted.
- GHerbo and Audiomack’s collaborative initiative to increase access and utilization of mental health services among young Black adults, and to de-stigmatize the cultural narratives about therapy among Black people. The collaboration has established The Dream Team Therapy Fund, designed to cover the cost of three (3) months’ worth of therapy sessions for Black youth (ages 18-25) seeking care in the United States.
Student Tele-Health 24/7: (888) 247-5767
- A student benefit-based program providing mental health access to counseling, therapy, and psychiatric services via web-based technology, 24/7. Designed to assist and support campus counseling services for students who experience depression, anxiety, panic attacks, PTSD, and other mental health diagnoses. Currently serving students at the following HBCUs: Edward Waters College, Jarvis Christian College, J.F. Drake Community & Technical College, Morris Brown College, Paine College, Shorter College, Voorhees College.
- Online space dedicated to encouraging the mental wellness of Black women and girls; Offers listing of mental health professionals across the country who provide high quality, culturally competent services to Black women and girls; informational podcast, online support community and a “Find a Therapist” tool.
The Loveland Foundation: An official continuation of the effort of Therapy for Black Girls, the site focuses on bringing opportunity and healing to communities of color, especially to Black women and girls through fellowships, residency programs, listening tours, and more. Offers financial assistance to Black women and girls to offset the cost of therapy.
(App) The Safe Place (IOS and Google Play)
- A minority mental health app geared towards the Black Community to raise awareness on mental illness within the community. They offer statistics, videos, podcasts, tips, etc.
- Provides information on promoting mental health and developing positive coping mechanisms through a podcast, an online magazine, and a Provider Directory to connect with a culturally competent mental health professional.
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