On paper, I was ready for this. A college degree under my belt, grad school ahead of me, and a lease with my name printed on it. In the eyes of society, it may frame that as success… that “you’ve made it” and “you’re on your own now.” But here’s the part that’s harder to admit… independence doesn’t always feel empowering…sometimes it feels isolating.
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time when communities around the world come together to recognize that mental health struggles are real, but help is always available. For young African Americans in Philadelphia and African youth living across the continent, knowing where to turn during tough times can save lives. No matter what you’re going through, you are not alone, and support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
We often think of preventive health checks as something that belongs in a hospital setting, blood tests, X-rays, physical exams. But the truth is, our mental health deserves the same level of care and preemptive attention. Just like our bodies, our minds carry silent strains, small cracks, and hidden bruises that can deepen over time if left unnoticed.
In Philadelphia, the Oshun Family Center has become a lifeline for families navigating the country’s growing maternal health crisis.
It’s not always the yelling boss or impossible deadlines that do you in. Often, the real damage happens in hushed corners, through forced smiles in meetings, punch-clock exhaustion, and an unspoken tension you can’t shake. It’s the slow erosion of joy and safety, disguised as “just business as usual” and it leaves wounds that go beyond burnout.
Ozempic, which used to be associated with the treatment of type 2 diabetes, has been getting a lot of buzz lately and has become popular among celebrities who are now turning to it for fast weight loss results. From those who only need to lose a few pounds to those who have been open about their long-term weight struggles, this drug has captured the attention of a wide audience.
How relevant is the payment of bride price in modern-day African relationships? Or perhaps the question should read, Should bride price still have a place in the traditional marriage process in African societies?
A glimpse at the realities of life from a tired 20-something
In 2023, the CDC reported that two-thirds of all chronic hepatitis B cases worldwide are acquired in childhood, mostly through mother-to-child transmission (MTCT). This invisible epidemic threatens generations, with hepatitis B alone affecting more than 60 million people in Africa.
Caregivers rarely ask for anything. They are the quiet ones, doing the school runs, checking in on aging parents, running errands, holding everyone together with threadbare strength. They are the ones people call in a crisis, and somehow, they always show up. But who shows up for them?
