May is Mental Health Awareness Month. This year, it provides the opportunity to celebrate and reinforce decreased stigmatization of mental health. Mental Health Awareness Month also serves to bring attention to the groups most susceptible to mental health conditions, including young women, people of color, and frontline and healthcare workers….
Rare mental disorders are often depicted in horror movies in ways that are 1) inaccurate; and 2) exploitative. That being said, creative inspiration has to come from somewhere. Extraordinary mental health disorders like mass psychogenic illness and Capras syndrome might benefit from the Hollywood treatment. Just make sure you remember…
Suicide rates in the US have increased in nearly every state from the year 1999 to 2016; additionally, suicide rates have increased by over 30% in at least 25 states. While we aren’t sure why suicide is on the rise (due to lack of research), there are a few significant…
Addiction is, in fact, a disease of the brain, but many continue to insist that it is not—and doing so only causes sufferers further harm. This stigma surrounding addiction discourages those who suffer with the disease from opening up about their struggles and getting the help that they need. To…
A mental health professional’s ultimate mission is to help his or her clients live their very best lives—which takes patience, understanding, and support. What I mean to say is therapy is a safe place: you don’t have to worry about being judged or ridiculed—your only worry should be getting down…
Religion and spirituality have played major roles in the lives of Black men and women since the days of slavery and before. The connection with God has been significant in helping individuals and families cope with loss, mistreatment, and the hardships of life. It would stand to reason because of…
Many view mental health as a taboo topic of conversation. Some of these people simply don’t want to talk about it—but others actually don’t feel comfortable talking about it. In fact, they’re scared of talking about it. Why? Because of the many stigmas that surround mental health… which are overwhelmingly…
Stigmas surrounding mental health exist in all groups and societies, but are particularly prevalent in the African-American community—making the concept of therapy or counseling a foreign one, at best. Some individuals simply don’t understand the practice, while others frown down upon it… leaving those in the community who struggle with…
Let’s face it, counseling is often a difficult choice to make. Deciding to allow someone in on those thoughts and feelings that perhaps you haven’t shared with family and friends often leaves one feeling anxious. Although counseling has become more acceptable across the board, when you look at who is…
No two therapy sessions are just the same—because no two people are just the same. We all have different problems. We all heal at different rates. And we all respond to therapy in different ways. But that’s not to say common themes don’t emerge—such as those that appear in counseling…
According to Alisha Powell, licensed clinical social worker, “counseling for Black men and women needs to be rooted in person-centered therapy. Most don’t come into therapy wanting to be told that everything will be okay and that they shouldn’t worry,” she says. “It’s important to create a safe space for…
Therapy is an incredibly rewarding process—but it doesn’t come without its challenges. Especially for a certain group of individuals: Black men and women. Keisha Wells, licensed professional counselor, explains that in a traditional sense, counseling is a “foreign” concept and viewed as a “last resort” in the Black community; however,…