10 Free Or Affordable Resources For Black Mental Health

Minority groups face added barriers when it comes to most systems, and mental health is no exception. As Project LETS puts it, “Although anyone can develop a mental health problem, African Americans sometimes experience more severe forms of mental health conditions due to unmet needs and other barriers.” 

LETS is an organization that seeks to end the stigma around marginalized groups and mental health, and they have a series of programs, including a peer crisis line, that they offer in the name of this mission. This already trying time is especially difficult for Black people, Black communities, and other marginalized groups. If that sounds familiar, below are some additional resources promoting Black mental health.

If you need immediate mental health help, here are some crisis lines:

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
• Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860
• Crisis Text Line
• GLBT National Hotline: 888-843-4564
• National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs: 212-714-1141

BlackLine

This 24/7 support hotline helps “provide people with an anonymous and confidential avenue to report negative, physical, and inappropriate contact with police and vigilantes.” BlackLine is aimed at the Black, Black LGBTQI, Brown, Native, and Muslim communities and its goal is to provide support, affirmation, and healing for oppressed communities.

Harriet’s Apothecary

Harriet’s Apothecary is a “healing village led by Black Cis Women, Queer & Trans healers, artists, activists & ancestors, centering the genius of Black, Indigenous & POC folk.” They are currently offering a handful of resources, including support groups, AMAs, healing circles, a storytime series, and more.

HealHaus

HealHaus is a Brooklyn-based membership healing space.  They are currently offering free virtual events via Zoom, including a Circle of Care for Black Womxn this Friday. On June 6, they’re offering a Breathwork for Trauma workshop.

FierceClarity Yoga

Dr. Danielle Richardson is an optometrist + yoga teacher who has been providing free online yoga classes through quarantine. She’s now extending that offer during the unrest. You can check out the class schedule on her Instagram page, where she also shares breathing exercises, yoga poses, and thoughts on mental health and wellness.

Sista Afya Community Mental Wellness

Based in Chicago, Sista Afya provides low-cost mental health services aimed at Black womxn. This includes workshops, a YouTube channel, individual and group therapy, along with holistic healing events. They are currently fundraising to provide more services to the community.

Black Mental Health Alliance

The Black Mental Health Alliance has a mission to “develop, promote and sponsor trusted culturally-relevant educational forums, trainings and referral services that support the health and well-being of Black people and other vulnerable communities.” They provide a directory of Black psychiatrists as well as mental health programs and resources.

The Loveland Foundation

Rachel Cargle founded The Loveland Foundation “to bring opportunity and healing to communities of color, and especially to Black women and girls.” Their Instagram account is full of tips and resources for mental health, and they have a therapy fund in which they provide financial assistance to Black women and girls who are seeking therapy. If that’s you, you can apply for assistance here.

Therapy for Black Girls 

Therapy for Black girls is a podcast, community, and directory launched by clinical psychologist Dr. Joy Harden Bradford. It includes a location-based and virtual directory of therapists. On the site, Dr. Bradford says she created the directory “because I kept seeing conversations online about people wanting to find a Black therapist but not knowing where to start.”

Ethel’s Club

Another membership-based wellness club, they are currently offering free group therapy sessions for the Black community.

Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective

BEAM is a group of “advocates, yoga teachers, artists, therapists, lawyers, religious leaders, teachers, psychologists, and activists committed to the emotional/mental health and healing of Black communities.” They are currently holding virtual healing and support sessions, and you can check out their event page for updates. They also have free toolkits, like journal prompts and printable worksheets.

Finally, Open Path Collective is also a great resource for anyone looking for affordable in-person or online therapy. Rates are income-based and range between $30 and $60 a session.

Image via Pexels

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