988 Disapora Campaign for Mental Health
Message from Councilmember Jamie Gauthier
Message from Councilmember Kendra Brooks
Message from Senator Sharif Street
As mental health issues worsen for Americans at large, the African Diaspora tries to bridge the gap by promoting the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline.
The past few years have been rough on Black folks. The pandemic shut down the nation. People lost jobs, income and loved ones to COVID 19 variants or complications. Also, poverty and food insecurity soared, education was disrupted, fear of what the future holds, and a big dose of overt 1950s-era racism resulted in spiked depression and anxiety rates throughout Diasporic communities.
In fact, a recently released U.S. Preventive Services Task Force report found that anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses, impacting 40 million American adults each year. The group of 16 independent medical experts also purported that Black people have a higher risk of said disorders due to social factors including racism, rather than genetics; with issues beyond the stress of the pandemic. In many cases, stemming from generational trauma and violence. Notably, having impacts on the emotional and mental health of both youth along with adults as compared to their white counterparts.
Despite progress made over the years, racism continues to have a negative impact on the mental and physical health of Black people. Socioeconomic status is linked to mental health. Impoverished people are at higher risk for poor mental health. Simply put, being stressed and depressed are often the result of being oppressed.
“African Americans have been traumatized, victimized and oppressed since arriving in the U.S.,” stated Sheila Bennett, a retired social worker. “Conceivably, mental health therapy could help resolve and address these issues. While therapeutic counseling has been an option available, the magnitude of African-American providers of this service is quite inadequate.”
From a horrific African Holocaust to today’s more tame attacks, usually in the form of microaggressions, are both overt and covert acts of racism still plague Black thought. In response on the federal level, Congress officially recognized July as “Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month” in 2008.
Importantly, Campbell was one of the founding members of National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – Urban Los Angeles. Born and raised in Philadelphia, the late award-winning African American writer dedicated much of her work to addressing the impact of racism on mental health, culture and community. She challenged the status quo and shed light on the unique struggles faced by people of color.
Initially, Campbell’s family members suffered from mental illness and recognized the consequences of the stigma. Currently her daughter, the actress Maia Campbell, has been open about her battles with bipolar disorder. According to NAMI, one in five adults experience mental illness each year– and over 20 percent of them are Black.
The 988 Diaspora Campaign continues the late author’s work by promoting awareness of the federal 988 Mental Health Lifeline.
Yet, much remains especially in light of the cataclysmic effects of the past three years. Stigmas and other issues often prevent people of African descent specifically from seeking treatment for their mental illness. That is why the popular Philadelphia-based Fun Times Magazine initiated the “988 Diaspora Campaign” to move “the African Diaspora to positive, affirmative action regarding their mental health,” explained Eric Nzeribe, FunTimes publisher. As well as to promote awareness and use of the federal 988 Mental Health Lifeline.
The campaign focuses on building a network of Black mental health professionals, community leaders and organizations to educate members of the African Diaspora–African American, African, Afro-Caribbean and Afro-Latino–in the Philadelphia Region on the importance of mental health treatment. The campaign is funded by the Knight-Lenfest Local News Transformation Fund.
“We especially want to engage local Black mental health professionals that can speak to the public on issues that specifically affect the mental health of people of African descent,” Nzeribe said.
As a result of the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act passed by Congress in 2020, the initiative was officially launched in 2022 and was modeled after the traditional 911-system. So, people who call or text The 988 Lifeline will be connected to local call centers staffed by mental health professionals.
The 988 Lifeline is also being promoted as an alternative to 9-1-1 when someone is experiencing a mental health crisis, which often has negative results for Black people when the police arrive. “Our campaign wants to get out the message that if you or a loved one are angry, stressed, depressed, anxious or going through a mental health crisis, don’t call the police. Call, chat or text 988 instead,” said Nzeribe.
The 988 Lifeline is free, anonymous and available 24/7.
According to the American Psychiatric Association, other barriers to Black patients include disparities like poor quality of care and lack access to culturally-competent care compared to the general population. Also, they are less likely to be offered evidence-based medication therapy or psychotherapy.
Moreover, differences in how Black patients express symptoms of emotional distress may contribute to misdiagnosis. Physician-patient communication differs for Black and white patients. One study found that physicians were 23 percent more verbally dominant and engaged in 33 percent less patient-centered communication with Black patients than with white patients.
Making sure the diaspora gets the care they need and deserve is the bottom line. Hence, The 988 Campaign was also developed in hopes of being a trusted listing of local culturally-competent mental healthcare providers in addition to promoting use of the 988 Lifeline. Chiefly, properly gearing Black mental health professionals to provide patients of color with access to culturally-competent therapists. Especially seeing as trust-building is integral in an effective, sustainable medical relationship and ultimately, long-term success. An ironic predicament between the white majority and formerly enslaved, yet still highly discriminated against African-American.
“It’s like going to the perpetrator of a crime and asking for help with your most sensitive life matters,” explained Bennett. Indeed, enslavement, Reconstruction, government-sanctioned Jim Crow segregation, and the Civil Rights era into the Prison-Industrial Complex has more than helped exacerbate matters. “There’s a comfort in confiding in someone who can empathize, which makes for more effective processes. This usually comes with the territory in Black-on-Black therapy.”
“We want to make sure our people are well-received and respected by healthcare providers,” said Nzeribe, leaving room for a silver-lining: “Hopefully, this will encourage people to seek the care they need.”
Black Mental Health Moments on WURD Radio
The listing includes mental health providers that focus on a wide-range of issues. They also specifically seek to provide safe spaces and holistic care for the African Diaspora, including therapy for racial trauma/justice using a variety of approaches. Most provide virtual and in-person sessions. Some provide free phone consultations.
Members of the 988 Diaspora Campaign Coalition are assisting in spreading the word about the 988 Lifeline and the need to stay mentally healthy, amongst diaspora communities in the Philadelphia Region. As a member of the coalition, WURD Black Talk Radio is presenting “Black Mental Health Moments,” 3:45PM, each Friday in September on Groundings with Brother Shomari (1:00PM to 4:00PM). The final segment of each show will feature a Black therapist from the campaign’s listing of Black mental healthcare providers. People will also be able to access the entire listing on the WURD website. Listeners can tune in at 96.1FM or https://wurdradio.com.
The WURD Black Mental Health Moments line-up includes:
Why Black Therapists Matter
988 Diaspora Campaign say Black therapists matter Promoting awareness of the 988 Mental Health Lifeline and access to treatment
PHILADELPHIA, August 8, 2023 — Stigmas and other barriers often prevent people of African descent from seeking treatment for their mental illness. One of the primary barriers is a lack of Black mental health professionals. This fact has spurred the 988 Diaspora Campaign to develop a listing of local culturally-competent mental healthcare providers in addition to promoting use of the 988 Lifeline to the African Diaspora (Africans, African Americans, Caribbean and Afro-Latino). Initiated by FunTimes Magazine and funded by the Knight-Lenfest Local News Transformation Fund, the campaign promotes awareness and use of the federal 988 Mental Health Lifeline. 988 is also being promoted as an alternative to calling 911 when someone is experiencing a mental health crisis, which often has negative results for Black people when the police arrive.
The Facts
Nationally, 4% of psychologists (American Psychological Association, 2018), 2% of psychiatrists (American Psychiatric Association, 2021), 22% of social workers (Institute for Health Workforce Equity, 2020), 7% of marriage and family counselors, and 11% of professional counselors are reported to be Black.
According to the American Psychiatric Association, other barriers to Black patients seeking mental healthcare include disparities within mental health care services. Black patients often receive poor quality of care and lack access to culturally-competent care compared to the general population. Differences in how Black patients express symptoms of emotional distress often contribute to misdiagnosis. Physician-patient communication differs for Black and whites patients. One study found that physicians were 23% more verbally dominant and engaged in 33% less patient-centered communication with Black patients than with white patients.
“This is why we want to make sure our people are well-received and respected by healthcare providers,” stated Eric Nzeribe publisher of FunTimes. “We are seeking to connect with Black mental health professionals that can speak to the public on issues that specifically affect the mental health of people of African descent. We are urging Black people to call 988 in an emergency and connect with the providers on our list for long-term treatment. Hopefully, this will encourage people to connect with them and seek the care they need.”
Holly Sawyer, PhD, LPC, NCC, CAADC, SAP founder of Life First Therapy, offers a special focus on helping professional Black women navigate micro-aggressions in the workplace. “Black women in general face mental health concerns around depression, anxiety, trauma and racism,” Sawyer pointed out. “It is important for Black people to understand that all people have mental health. However, not everyone has a mental illness. Therapy is not just for people who have a mental illness. Furthermore, therapy is just not for white people. When Black folk think therapy is just for white people, it upholds the stigma further. It is important for Black people to know that they can go to therapy for anything that they feel they need to process and it does not necessarily mean you have a mental illness.”
Why Black therapists matter
A 2022 study (Black Mental Health Workforce Survey) in partnership with Black Psychiatrists of America, Inc. and The National Association of Black Social Workers, Inc. details the concerns of Black mental health professionals. Many of them have to fight bias in the profession and micro-aggressions on the job, as well as fight for their Black patients. “Psychiatry is a white-dominated field, and I am constantly reminded that as a Black woman, I will never fully belong,” wrote Amanda J. Calhoun in a commentary on Slate. “When I bring up white staff’s differential treatment or point out the unprofessional and harsh descriptors they use when talking about Black patients, they are protected by administrators and I am routinely targeted and retaliated against by white staff… I am forced to find strategic ways to advocate for my Black patients, while constantly watching my back, and I should not have to.”
Why do Black therapists matter? Black patients need therapists who are culturally responsive to their needs. They shouldn’t have to explain their culture to a therapist in order to get the proper help. Black therapists provide a safer, more welcoming space for Black people seeking therapy. Black mental health professionals think providing people with information on accessing culturally-competent therapists is an important move.
“African Americans have been traumatized, victimized and oppressed since arriving in the U.S.,” said Sheila Bennett, a retired social worker. “Conceivably, mental health therapy could help resolve and address these issues. While therapeutic counseling has been an option available, the magnitude of African-American providers of this service is quite inadequate. Historically it has been hard to trust Europeans providing counseling on such personal matters. It’s like going to the perpetrator of a crime and asking for help with your most sensitive life matters. Trust is crucial for effective counseling. There’s a comfort in confiding in someone who can empathize, which makes for more effective processes. This usually comes with the territory in Black on Black therapy.”
Sawyer agreed wholeheartedly. “It is important to seek care from a culturally-competent therapist because they will be supportive and understanding of how your culture impacts you,” she explained.
“Culturally- competent therapists won’t gaslight you or victim-blame. Culturally-competent therapists make you feel heard, validated and seen.”
The 988 Diaspora Campaign Culturally Competent Providers List includes 30 Black mental health providers that focus on a wide-range of issues and reflect the diaspora – Africans, African Americans and Caribbean. They also specifically seek to provide safe spaces and holistic care for the African Diaspora, including therapy for racial trauma/justice using a variety of approaches. Most provide virtual and in-person sessions. Some provide free phone consultations.
Dr. Uche Ukuku who practices General Psychology, established “TalkNaija” to destigmatize mental health therapy in the Nigerian community. Bourne ANEW LLC/Kenneth Bourne II offers a healing-centered approach to therapy for Black men and boys. Black Men Heal provides limited free mental health service to Black men. Endeavoring Wellness/ Okichie Davis provides immigration evaluations, Trans experience and gender expansiveness therapy. Melanated Women’s Health, LLC provides culturally affirming, anti-oppressive therapy for women. Philadelphia Black Women’s Health Alliance offers Sister Circle, Girl Circle and mental wellness focus groups. The Loveland Foundation provides financial assistance for Black women and girls seeking therapy. Sankofa Healing Studio offers social justice informed therapy supporting marginalized youth and adults who are trauma-impacted and system-involved. Organizations like Greater Philadelphia Health Action, Inc. and WES Health System provide behavioral health services to the underserved at several locations in the Delaware Valley.
Being stressed and depressed are often the result of being oppressed. “Our campaign wants to get out the message that if you or a loved one are angry, stressed, depressed, anxious or going through a mental health crisis, don’t call the police,” Nzeribe reminded. “Call, chat or text 988 instead, then make an appointment with a Black therapist. Help is available. We’ve got your back!” The list can be downloaded here.
*Published on MeetMonarch.com
988 Diaspora Campaign reaches out to the local African Diaspora Promoting awareness of the 988 Mental Health Lifeline and access to treatment
PHILADELPHIA, July 1, 2023 — The number of people in the U. S. experiencing mental illness has escalated greatly over the past few years. One in five adults experience mental illness each year according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and over 20 % of them are Black people. However, stigmas and other issues often prevent people of African descent from seeking treatment for their mental illness. That’s why Fun Times Magazine has initiated the “988 Diaspora Campaign” to promote awareness and use of the federal 988 Mental Health Lifeline. FunTimes (https://www.funtimesmagazine.com) is a popular, Philadelphia-based, online magazine that focuses on African-American, African and Caribbean cultures and lifestyles in the Delaware Valley.
Modeled after 911 and launched in 2022 as a result of the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act passed by Congress in 2020, people who call or text 988 (https://988lifeline.org/ ) will be connected to call centers around the nation, including 13 in Pennsylvania and one in Philadelphia. The 988 Mental Health Lifeline is free, anonymous and available 24/7.
Funded by the Knight-Lenfest Local News Transformation Fund to create awareness around 988, the 988 Diaspora Campaign will work with Black healthcare organizations and mental health professionals, nonprofits, businesses, cultural organizations, fraternal organizations, faith-based organizations and other media to educate the African Diaspora (African Americans, Africans, Afro-Caribbean and Afro-Central/South Americans) in the Philadelphia Region on mental health treatment.
“We are promoting the 988 Mental Health Lifeline with the goal of moving the African Diaspora to positive, affirmative action regarding their mental health,” explained Eric Nzeribe, FunTimes publisher. We’re working to establish a 988 Diaspora Coalition and advisory committee to assist us in reaching diaspora communities in the region. We also want to engage local Black mental health professionals that can speak to the public on issues that specifically affect the mental health of people of African descent. FunTimes took on this challenge because we realized the importance and impact of the sweeping mental health crisis on our communities. I’m grateful for the opportunity to help.”
FunTimes kicked off the campaign last month by hosting, “Shattering the Stigma” – a webinar discussing mental wellness solutions and support in diaspora communities.
The pandemic shut down the nation, caused people to lose jobs, income and loved ones to coronavirus. It increased poverty and food insecurity, disrupted education, spread fear, included a big dose of overt racism like back in the 1950s, and resulted in increased depression and anxiety in diaspora communities.
“At this point, I believe about two-fifths of Black people meet criteria for anxiety disorder, or depressive disorder, since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Evan Auguste, spokesperson for the Association of Black Psychologists that practice Black liberation psychology, in a news report. “That was found in the Association of Black Psychologists needs assessment that was completed during the pandemic.”
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a group of 16 independent medical experts, recently released a report which found that anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses and impacts 40 million adults in the nation each year. The task force also found that Black people have a higher risk of anxiety disorders due to social factors including racism, rather than genetics.
Black therapists and other mental health professionals say the issues that Black patients are facing go beyond the stress of the pandemic, and in many cases, stem from generational trauma. Mental Health America, the nation’s leading national nonprofit dedicated to the promotion of mental health agreed. Its annual State of Mental Health in America report said the Black experience in America has and continues to be characterized by generational trauma and violence more often than for their white counterparts and impacts the emotional and mental health of both youth and adults. Throughout American history, Black people have suffered from physical, sexual, emotional, and psychological trauma during the enslavement, Reconstruction, government-sanctioned Jim Crow segregation, and the Civil Rights era into the Prison-Industrial Complex. Both overt and covert acts of racism can take the form of micro aggressions. Experiencing frequent micro aggressions can result in chronic stress and anger, which can lead to negative mental and physical health consequences.
Despite progress made over the years, racism continues to have a negative impact on the mental and physical health of Black people. Historical adversity includes race-based exclusion from health, educational, social, and economic resources and results in the socioeconomic disparities experienced by Black people today. Socioeconomic status is linked to mental health. Impoverished people are at higher risk for poor mental health. Barriers remain regarding access to quality care. Those barriers are:
• Stigma associated with mental illness
• Distrust of the health care system
• Lack of providers from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds
• Lack of culturally competent providers
• Lack of insurance or underinsurance
According to the American Psychiatric Association, other barriers to Black patients seeking mental healthcare include disparities that exist in mental health care services. Black patients often receive poor quality of care and lack access to culturally-competent care compared to the general population. Black patients are less likely to be offered evidence-based medication therapy or psychotherapy. Differences in how Black patients express symptoms of emotional distress may contribute to misdiagnosis. Physician-patient communication differs for Black and whites patients. One study found that physicians were 23% more verbally dominant and engaged in 33% less patient-centered communication with Black patients than with white patients.
These facts have spurred the 988 Diaspora Campaign to develop a listing of local culturally-competent mental healthcare providers in addition to promoting use of the 988 Lifeline. “We want to make sure our people are well-received and respected by healthcare providers,” Nzeribe said. “This is why we are seeking to connect with Black mental health professionals. Hopefully, this will encourage people to seek the care they need.”
The 988 Lifeline is also being promoted as an alternative to calling 911 when someone is experiencing a mental health crisis, which often has negative results for Black people when the police arrive. Recent cases of police brutality are reminders of continued racial oppression and biases against Black people nationwide.
Being stressed and depressed are often the result of being oppressed. “Our campaign wants to get out the message that if you or a loved one are angry, stressed, depressed, anxious or going through a mental health crisis, don’t call the police,” stated Nzeribe. “Call, chat or text 988 instead. Competent, compassionate mental health professionals are there to listen and help solve your issue. Help is available. We’ve got your back!”