What is Black History Month?
February is Black History Month, an annual celebration of the achievements and positive impact African Americans have had on the United States history and culture. This yearly celebration has continued since it first started in 1976 (A&E Television Networks, 2022). Other countries worldwide also devote a month to celebrate Black history, notably in the United Kingdom and Canada.
It is important to note that the celebration of Black history doesn’t cease when the month of February ends. We urge you to continue celebrating and honoring the Black community by supporting Black-owned businesses; further your education on Black culture, achievements, and how to be antiracist.
Black Mental Health
According to Mental Health America, 6.8 million Black/African Americans reportedly live with mental illness (2021). Mental health is significantly impacted by historical and current marginalization, generational trauma, and race-related trauma. Supporting the Black community from a mental health lens is also a crucial aspect of supporting the Black community as a whole and being an ally in eliminating implicit bias.
Connecting with Black mental health professionals and sharing mental health resources empower the Black community. Check out the info below for more resources on this important topic.
Black Mental Health Spotlight
- Joseph L. White, Ph.D. (Dec. 19, 1932 – Nov. 21, 2017) – voiced that the application of white psychology on African American people developed an unfair and false illusion of Black inferiority.
Resources.
- Black History Month – a collaborative project of the Library of Congress and the National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and U.S. National Archives and Records Administration which provides educational resources such as a virtual museum.
- Schomburg Center for Research on Black Culture – “archives Black-authored and Black-related online educational resources to document Black studies, movements, and experiences in the 21st century.”
- Black Owned Businesses in Los Angeles – provides a comprehensive, thorough list of Black owned businesses in the Los Angeles area.
- The difference between being “not racist” and antiracist – a TED talk with Dr. Ibram X. Kendi.
- Therapy for Black Girls – an online space dedicated to encouraging the mental wellness of Black women and girls, including a free podcast aimed at making mental health topics accessible.
- Liberate – Free meditation app designed specifically for the BIPOC community and led by BIPOC teachers.
References
A&E Television Networks. (2022). Black history month. History.com. Retrieved January 28, 2022, from https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-month
Mental Health America. (2021). Bipoc Mental Health. Mental Health America. Retrieved January 28, 2022, from https://www.mhanational.org/bipoc-mental-health