Celebrating Black History Month and Mental Health

Black History Month is a time to honor the achievements, resilience, and cultural contributions of African Americans throughout history. It is also an important opportunity to highlight issues that continue to affect Black communities today—especially mental health.

For many African Americans, mental health challenges are shaped by unique stressors, including racism, discrimination, generational trauma, economic inequality, and barriers to quality healthcare. Historical injustices have contributed to mistrust of medical systems, which can make seeking mental health treatment more difficult. Additionally, stigma surrounding mental illness within some communities may prevent individuals from asking for help.

Despite these challenges, conversations about mental health in the Black community are growing. Black therapists, advocates, faith leaders, and community organizations are working to reduce stigma, increase culturally competent care, and ensure access to accurate information and supportive services.

AAMFT has several professional resources for further reading in our Racial Justice section here.

Several other organizations also provide trusted mental health resources specifically geared toward supporting Black individuals and families:

• What Black History Means to Me: National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – offers education, support groups, and advocacy for people living with mental illness. NAMI provides culturally relevant resources and community-based programs.
• Black History Month: Mental Health America (MHA) – provides mental health screenings, educational materials, and information about treatment options, including resources addressing racial disparities.
• Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective (BEAM) – focuses on healing, education, advocacy, and the dismantling of systemic barriers affecting Black mental health.
• The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation – founded by actress Taraji P. Henson, this organization works to eradicate stigma and increase access to mental health services in Black communities.

Black History Month reminds us that honoring the past must also include protecting the well-being of the present. By encouraging open dialogue, increasing representation in mental health professions, and supporting organizations dedicated to equity and healing, communities can move toward a future where mental healthcare is accessible, trusted, and stigma-free for all.

Learn more about the exciting initiative launched by AAMFT in 2024, the HBCU CEO Workgroup, which seeks to expand access to systemic mental health education and services. The workgroup engages with faculty and administrators at targeted HBCUs to advocate for the development of MFT programs at selected HBCUs. More information will be announced soon on this significant program.