Mental Health in Communities

Purpose & Value

A lot of thoughts linger in our heads all day, whether they're about global warming or buying those pair pants that make your ass look REALLY bomb. There's more to your day than usual because of emotions. Anything that is brought up throughout your day makes you feel some way. Angry, aroused, upset, or curious- whatever it may be, do you think you're healthily moving forward from that thought+emotion with tools catered for you? 

Our minds all function differently, therefore what can work for you will not always work for the next person. It's important to notice that this may be the case, but not everyone knows that it works this way. 

What's interesting about this discussion and the audience this is targeted for is resources for better mental health are not catered to helping young, Womxn of color. They for one were not priced so that low-income communities of color to thrive, and secondly, were not even located within the communities so that this service/resource can be accessible. So already, we were not thought of when the system and practice were built/spread. Literally, it was not until Black and Brown people spoke up for our right to a better quality of life. Our environments factor into the downfall of our mental health. When our communities are similar to our household situations, there are little chances of help. Really what we all need is some loving! 

Anxiety, depression, chronic stress, trauma, etc are several of the mental illnesses that impact Womxn of these communities. Mental health is not taken seriously beginning with our parents, caretakers, guardians, etc. Why?  One reason is lack of knowledge, most of our families are unfortunate enough to never be offered resources that can excel us. Therefore, most of the time is also that they don't know how practices such as therapy can help everyone. There were enough other methods they utilized to propel themselves and not all were healthy. 

Another reason is that they don't believe there's anything wrong with us. Their kind of help includes either avoidance of your issues, religion or offering food so you'll get over your VERY IMPORTANT feelings that NEED TO BE LISTENED TO. 

This shit is hard, I know. This is why inviting individuals to discuss these issues of our communities is vital to the prosperity of our lives. Informing families of the purpose and value of mental health can transform the standards our health is being held to. All of this begins with a talk, so have that conversation and learn how to manage your mental illness comfortably. 

Resources

• Look into your community to see how you can volunteer, be apart of, or begin the outreach for bettering the quality of our mental health resources. 
• Talk with one another, listen, and come into the situation with love. 
• Find out what you like, is it eating a bag of hot Cheetos on your cheat day? or is every day your cheat day?? Dancing naked to some tunes, running, reading, podcasts, spirituality, watching some Holiday films, etc.
• Cuddled up with the boo, or animal or BOTH
• https://www.nami.org/
• https://adaa.org/
• https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
• https://www.dbsalliance.org/
• https://www.activeminds.org/
• https://www.columbusrecoverycenter.com/treatment-programs/co-occurring-disorders/ 
• https://www.teenvogue.com/story/mental-health-resources-for-disabled-people-poc-lgbtq (for reference where more resources are listed from specific minoritized backgrounds)