BIPOC Mental Health

We’re focusing on BIPOC mental health in collaboration with Black Twitch UK, and will highlight mental health resources specifically supporting the needs of BIPOC individuals.

BIPOC stands for Black, Indigenous, and people of color.

Many members of BIPOC communities deal with stress and trauma that can stem from specific socioeconomic struggles that consciously and subconsciously impact the everyday lives of the community – ADAA

It’s important to recognise that often due to systemic racism, BIPOC people are misdiagnosed, or underrepresented within mental health conversations and systems across the world. There is also a link to socioeconomic factors rooted in racism that have lead to inequity within the mental health space, including increased levels of poverty, lack of accessibility, and distrust in the systems created without BIPOC people in mind. We must collectively uplift BIPOC voices in mental health. The MHA have an article with more information on racism and mental health here.

According to Mental Health America, multiracial people were most likely to screen positive or at-risk for alcohol/substance use disorders, anxiety, depression, eating disorders and psychosis. Native and Indigenous people were most likely to screen positive or at-risk for bipolar disorder and PTSD. Research suggests that Black Americans are 20% more likely to report serious psychological distress than are White Americans, yet they are less likely to use mental health services.

Language and culture also play a part in examining the difference in views on mental health across the globe. Symptoms/feelings can often be mistranslated or misinterpreted across language, especially when taking into account cultural traditions, stigma and expectations. There is often disparity in mental health provisions and resources globally which can have a knock-on impact on seeking treatment, patient experience and stigma. The American Counseling Association publication ‘Counseling Today’ has an article discussing this in more detail.

Resources

We’ve collated global resources that are dedicated to specifically supporting BIPOC people in mental health. You can find a list of additional crisis helplines and resources here.

USA-based

BlackLine – 1 (800) 604-5841 – 24/7 Text or Call Hotline: a space for peer support, counseling, witnessing and affirming the lived experiences to folxs who are most impacted by systematic oppression with an LGBTQ+ Black Femme Lens.

DeQH – 908-367-3374 – Hotline for South Asian/Desi LGBTQ individuals, family, and friends.

Therapy for Black Girls – run by Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, this support resource includes a mental health podcast, looking to create more accessible information and discussions for Black women. The website includes a welcoming community, and a search function for therapists (both virtual and in-person) local to you.

BEAM (Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective) – national training, movement building and grant making institution dedicated to the healing, wellness and liberation of Black and marginalised communities.

Asian Mental Health Project – educates and empowers pan-Asian communities to seek mental-health services by hosting mostly virtual wellness events, weekly check-ins that function as support groups, and workshops with speakers.

Therapy for Black Men – born from the idea that Black men and boys face unique challenges and stigmatization, and therefore need a dedicated space for seeking and finding mental health support, and has been able to provide $70,000+ free therapy to Black Men in the USA.

Black Men Heal – a 501c3 grassroots nonprofit organization offering up to 8 free therapy sessions for Black men.

National Queer & Trans Therapists of Color Network – a healing justice organization committed to transforming mental health for queer and trans people of color.

The Loveland Foundation – committed to showing up for communities of color in unique and powerful ways, with a particular focus on Black women and girls, with a Therapy Fund for those who need it.

Mental Health Fund for Queer & Trans BIPOC – designed to address the economic barriers inherent in healthcare and the mental health system by providing financial assistance.

Resources to Empower Asian and Pacific Islander Communities – a list of organizations and resources focused on addressing the needs of the API community.

WeRNative – a comprehensive health resource for Native youth, by Native youth, providing content and stories about the topics that matter most to them.

EBONY’s State-By-State Resources – a list of Black owned and focused mental health resources.

Melanin and Mental Health – connecting people with Black and Latinx mental health providers, free resources and BIPOC creators in the mental health space.

UK-based

Black Minds Matter – a charity operating in the UK; connecting Black individuals and families with free mental health services by professional Black therapists to support their mental health.

BAATN (Black, African and Asian Therapy Network) – home of the largest community of Counsellors and Psychotherapists of Black, African, Asian and Caribbean Heritage in the UK.

Rainbow Noir – a volunteer-led social group, we celebrate, elevate and advocate for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer and/or Intersex people of colour (LGBTQI PoC).

Global

ASHA International – founded by Gayathri Ramprasad, ASHA is the culmination of a promise to deliver international information, tools, and messages of hope.

Mendu – an app aimed to empower, boost unique voices and uplift women of colour.

This Month’s Activity

We will be delivering information, experiences, resources and content about BIPOC Mental Health. Get ready for a panel all about BIPOC Mental Health with our friends at Black Twitch UK, stories from the community about personal experiences and mental health journeys, and new podcast episodes exploring the topic.

Plus, we will be adding new games and apps to our list, as well as boosting BIPOC creators doing outstanding work in mental health advocacy.