May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Our faith leaders can play a pivotal role, if we are to move the needle on improving mental wellness in the African American community.

Now my Why is not only the person I helped to save when I was 18 – and over a dozen other people close to me who have struggled with depression, anxiety, and/or suicidal ideation. My Why is also me. 

Getting unconditional love and understanding, and having access to healthcare, therapy, medication and support systems is not always a guarantee for those in the LGBTQ community.

One of the main challenges my clients experience is the stigma of seeking mental health services. This stigma is rooted in our Latinx/Hispanic family values, and comes from a belief that is necessary to keep our problems within the family.

Have you ever felt discriminated against? Has anyone ever told you that you can’t do something because of who you are? Do you remember what and how you felt? Do you remember what you did?

Grief is not linear. Everyone experiences grief differently. Grief moves at its own pace.

Can a young child really have suicidal thoughts?  This is a question I’m sometimes asked when I’m presenting educational programs in my role as the Virginia Area Director for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. It’s a question I would have been likely to ask, myself, years ago.

The following is an abridged version of an article comedian Chris Gethard wrote following the premiere of his acclaimed HBO special Career Suicide. The original article can be found here.

#MentalHealth4All awareness graphic

#MentalHealth4All awareness graphic

#MentalHealth4All

#MentalHealth4All Zoom background

Mental health resources for Asian communities

Mental health resources for Black communities

Mental health resources for Latinx & Hispanic communities

Mental health resources for Native and Indigenous Peoples

Suicide prevention resources

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Support is always available

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#MentalHealth4All mantras

#MentalHealth4ForAll actions

#MentalHealth4All facebook cover

Mental health resources for Latinx & Hispanic communities

#MentalHealth4All mantras en español

Ahora más que nunca es importante mantenerse conectado con familiares, amigos, compañeros de trabajo, compañeros de clase y otros a través de llamadas telefónicas y en línea.

Si bien los factores asociados a la COVID-19 crean riesgos, es imperativo recordar que el suicidio es prevenible.  Ahora más que nunca, es importante que las personas tomen medidas protectoras y proactivas para salvaguardar su salud mental y la de los demás.

Si tiene dificultades, he aquí algunas sugerencias para cuidar su salud mental ante la incertidumbre.