At Ahead, we’re dedicated to improving access to mental health care for all — including the Black, Indigenous, Asian, Latinx, and LGBTQIA+ communities, among others. For Black History Month, we’re excited to amplify the voices of the Black community around the subject of mental health. In this article, you’ll find some of the top Black mental health resources.
Black mental health is a topic that deserves attention regardless of the time of year, and this list of resources can uplift you in your healing all year round. From positive social media communities to mentally stimulating podcasts, here are 10 Black mental health resources to help you on your journey.
Social media communities that uplift marginalized voices
WE THE URBAN
WE THE URBAN is a Black-owned community with over 4.4 million followers on Instagram. Their impact is huge, not only for the Black community but for anyone who needs an encouraging message to get through the day. With thought-provoking copy, their Instagram carousels cover anything from breakups to self-reflection questions.
If Instagram isn’t your platform of choice, try WE THE URBAN’s journal instead. Write down your thoughts while reflecting on positive affirmations and self-reflection questions. Follow their Instagram for encouraging content or use their journal to let out what’s on your mind.
The Saddie Baddies
Are you someone who struggles with your mental and emotional health, but you don’t show it? You might find a sense of community with the Saddie Baddies. The Saddie Baddies is a “virtual sanctuary for Black & multiracial people to destigmatize mental health and initiate collective healing”.
According to the website, a Saddie Baddie is “a gender-inclusive phrase created to describe anyone struggling with their mental health. A Saddie Baddie can be your strongest friend, the person that never asks for help, or the unassuming loved one who silently battles feelings of depression, anxiety, and/or other mental health issues.”
This mental health safe space for marginalized communities was created by Priscilla O. Agyeman, MPH, a public health professional and mental health advocate. She created Saddie Baddies to help normalize and address the deep, uncomfortable, heavy conversations about mental and emotional health. Through relatable and visually aesthetic content, this community is inspiring positive conversations around mental health for the Black community and beyond. You can also find evidence-based topics and healing conversations from the Saddie Baddies through their blog or email newsletter.
Rest for Resistance
Navigating mental health can look different depending on several factors, including gender identity and sexual orientation. The Rest for Resistance community exists to provide a healing space for LGBTQIA+ individuals as well as other stigmatized groups such as sex workers, immigrants, persons with physical and/or mental disabilities, and those living at the intersections of all of the above.
On their blog, you can find various emotional support resources for LGBTQ2SIA+ and BIPOC communities, including articles and events. Follow the Rest for Resistance community on Instagram @qtpocmentalhealth to fill your feed with uplifting original writing and art by Queer, Trans people of color.
Black mental health podcasts that inspire deep conversations
Therapy for Black Girls
Therapy for Black Girls is a safe space to talk about mental health obstacles that hinder Black women. This weekly chat is hosted by Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed psychologist and public speaker. By using pop culture to illustrate psychological concepts, she aims to make mental health topics more relevant for Black women. This podcast covers any topic that involves personal development and mental health, from egg freezing and fertility to exploring your Afro-Latina identity.
Let’s Talk Bruh
Let’s Talk Bruh is a podcast that talks all about Black masculinity, Black male privilege, vulnerability, patriarchy’s impact on Black women and more. Founded by Jeremy Herte, Let’s Talk Bruh aims to create a safe space for learning, healing, and interactive conversations. On Instagram, the Let’s Talk Bruh team posts short highlights of their most engaging podcast episodes and daily mental health reminders for Black men. Join their growing community of 700+ Black men on Facebook to connect with others and tune in to their podcast episodes every Wednesday.
Balanced Black Girl
If you can’t get enough of podcasts that talk about Black mental health, Balanced Black Girl is another great podcast to tune in during your daily routine. Hosted by Les, a former personal trainer and nutrition coach, Balanced Black Girl is a safe space for Black millennial women to explore healthier habits and routines. If you’re craving a more engaged sense of community, the community also provides a membership option called Guided that includes monthly classes and Q&A calls with guests from the podcast, on-demand self-care courses, guided meditations, journaling exercises and more.
Must-watch videos about Black mental health
Carrington Bruton
Carrington Bruton, or @carringtonlbruton on Tiktok, is a Black actress who plays ‘Jill’ on FOX’s hit show “Empire.” She is also a Black autistic female with inattentive ADHD. She received a diagnosis for both conditions back in October 2020, and since then, Carrington has dedicated her TikTok platform to share her experience of being a neurodiverse Black woman and being diagnosed later in life. On her Instagram, you can find a mix of content ranging in topics from ADHD and her acting career to her clean luxury skincare brand Temple Face and Body.
What it’s like being Black and Neurodiverse
In this video, Jessica McCabe opens up a discussion with 13 Black people with ADHD to explore the intersectionality between ethnic diversity and neurodiversity. McCabe is best known for sharing her own unique experience with ADHD, but this video highlights the ADHD experience for various Black neurodivergent people. Through each interview, you can gain a deeper understanding of the Black experience with different types of ADHD, mental health and the black community, masking and code-switching, dealing with discrimination and more.
Read about Black mental health
Standing In the Shadows: Understanding and Overcoming Depression in Black Men
Black men get depressed too. They experience anxiety, ADHD, and other mental health conditions just as often—if not more—as others, but it can be hard to talk about. This book explores the Black male experience with depression and the stigma around mental health and Black men. Written from the perspective of a former mental health journalist, this book highlights his personal experience with clinical depression as a Black man. As you dive into this book, you’ll start to understand and learn more about the prevalence of mental health conditions among Black men and the barriers to treatment.
VeryWellMind
Looking for a hub of articles and resources for Black mental health? Browse through Verywell Mind’s collection of ‘Race and Identity’ articles to learn more about mental health in various marginalized communities, wellness tips and more. Their topics range from A-Z, from navigating mental health as an undocumented immigrant to understanding topics like gaslighting. Each article is medically reviewed and fact-checked by medical doctors or mental health providers for accuracy. Visit their website or subscribe to their email newsletter to get daily tips for a healthier mind and stay in the loop of their newest mental health articles.
Navigating mental health in the Black community
There are many Black mental health resources and communities that can provide support if you're struggling with depression, anxiety, ADHD, or other mental health conditions. This list is not meant to overwhelm you with options but to help widen your access to resources that can help support your healing.
As you navigate your unique mental health needs, having guidance from a culturally competent mental health provider can make a world of difference and help you move forward. At Ahead, our providers come from all walks of life and have years of experience helping people build holistic solutions for their mental health. When you’re ready to commit to your healing journey, Ahead is here to help you break the stigma and get where you want to be.
