Nationwide — August is now Global Black Mental Health Awareness Month (GBMHAM) declares Black Therapy Central and other Black organizations to recognize that Black people, regardless of location, face similar mental health issues and self-hatred problems caused by the trauma of global systemic racism. The specific mental health needs of Black people around the world are distinct and unique, and therefore separate from other groups.
The awareness campaign stands on four firm principles: one, Black people are not a minority, but rather a global majority. The minority designation perpetuates self-defeating attitudes and self-destructive behaviors; two, Black people have unique and specific needs that should not be marginalized or lumped together with other underrepresented groups in America (or elsewhere); three, Black people are connected not only culturally and genetically throughout the world, but they also have similar underlying mental health issues as a result of external causes, like global, anti-Black, systemic racism; four, that many individual and local Black mental health challenges are symptoms of a larger global created problem.
“2020 highlighted clear racial disparities throughout the globe and the need for a focus on global Black mental health. The trauma we have suffered this year shows calls for even more mental health solutions,” said Dr. Afiya Mbilishaka.
“There is a tendency for Black people to think we are isolated in our challenges, but we [therapists] understand that for Black people around the world have mental health commonalities,” said therapist and Black Therapy Central Co-Founder, Dr. Mawiyah Kambon.
“Black people have specifically been targeted especially in America, Asia, and Europe. This year we have seen hundreds of cases of Blacks killed or mistreated due to medical malpractice within the healthcare system during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. We have been discriminated against in China and used as lab rats for the COVID-19 vaccine testing by foreign entities in Africa. We have seen brutal police killings and beatings of Black people globally,” said Dr. Mawiyah Kambon in an interview about why this day was declared.
“The countless global atrocities against Black people have inflicted so much trauma that we need a time that dedicates our focus on healing and self-care. The trauma is ongoing, and therefore the work towards mental wellness must also be continuous. Global Black Mental Health Awareness Month is a step in the right direction towards a unified effort for Black people to globally heal from an African-centered mental health perspective.”
GBMHAM coincides with other progressive Black awareness initiatives in August, such as the historical political awareness efforts of Black August, Marcus Garvey’s Birthday, and other notable events. Simultaneously BTC Black therapists will provide ongoing assistance through BTC online and offline innovative mental health programs. Visitors can play stress relief games and attend webinars, discussions, and therapy sessions.
Black Therapy Central welcomes people, groups, and businesses, wellness and mental health professionals looking to help or get involved in the Global Black Mental Health Awareness campaign to visit: www.blacktherapycentral.com/gbmham
Black Therapy Central (BTC) is an online platform that provides a variety of Black culturally-rooted interactive activities, webinars, self-guided healing programs, and quizzes. It was developed by a group of Afrikan-centered psychologists that believe Black people deserve safe spaces to heal from collective trauma and damaging personal experiences. Visit: BlackTherapyCentral.com
For interviews quotes, and more information contact our press contacts:
Monique McDougal
Bwana Intwinaka
301-244-9072
MediaRelations@BlackTherapyCentral.com
Notes to Editors:
• Black Therapy Central was co-founded by a mother and daughter who wanted to provide free resources to help Black people around the world heal from trauma.
Black Therapy Central held a Global Black State of Emergency Town Hall Meeting in April. The 4-hour event had 1900+ concerned citizens of the global Black community. 22 presenters laid out solutions in the following areas of Employment/Economics, Mental/Physical well-being, Education, Environment/Sustainability, Planning and building, Media and Technology, Politics, Culture, Mental Health, and Spirituality.
• Black Therapy Central rolled out the 10-Day Healing Journey. This free online program is a multi-sensory Black healing experience created with unique culturally themed affirmations, offline activities, guided meditations, curated visuals, and music selections. It was designed by a group of Black therapy Central licensed psychologists to help people improve wellness and overall mental health whether they are impacted by the quarantine or other personal or national events.
• Black Therapy Central has a radio show launching in August.
• Since the State of Emergency Town Hall Meeting and the 10-day Healing Journey, BlackTherapyCentral.com began reaching 10,000+ visitors a day several times since July from Black people seeking free mental health resources to help in their everyday lives.