#black mental health
From our series entitled, “Ask a Black Therapist”! A big thank you to LaKendria Ellis, LPC for speaking to us!
For more content like this follow us on our instagram @mentalrealnessmag ✊
I’m looking for writers on behalf of Mental Realness Mag for its next print issue. Only looking for submissions from black queer, nonbinary, and/or trans folks. Each accepted submission is paid!
-$15 per written submission
-$10 per visual submission
Since we’re all stuck at home during this quarantine, and I want to plug my magazine!
Mental Realness Mag is a digital publication specifically for black femmes (of any gender identity) navigating mental health. We feature photography, poetry, prose, articles, etc. We’ve just recently published our fourth issue, and I would love if you guys could check it out. I’ve included some of the highlights below and a link to the magazine as well!
(We’re always looking for writers and visual media submissions as well!)
Depart
People shake their heads at suicide because they don’t understand. They don’t understand that I’ve been dead for a very long time.
I’m just ready to get rid of the waste now.
Soon leave.
She’s got me!! She’s shown me that time and time again! With all the madness I’ve been through this year, this woman has not left my side once!! God is good! I’ve been blessed with a real life angel!
2018 is looking mighty.
Saffy D fell back, not off.
Post link
Get yourself friends that validate your traumatic experiences, thoughts, and feelings instead of questioning them.
Reminder: You deserve to feel mentally, physically, & emotionally safe. ✨✨✨
To all my Black girls out there, please know that you are loved and that you do not always have to show up for others, especially in a society that doesn’t always show up for you.
Reminder:
I am the prize✨
Friendly reminder:
Your happiness and mental health has to be a priority. If something isn’t aligning with that, speak up. If you’ve communicated this and nothing has changed, start preparing to walk away.
You do not have to live in misery in order to be a “stronger person”. Don’t let society make you think this. Our history is already built on trauma, you don’t need further trauma in your relationships, your profession, etc. You can be happy and you can be mentally safe without having to endure a ton of pain.
In order for you to be the best you can be, you have to be in an environment that will allow you to do this.
Happy Black History Month ❤️
Here’s to:
- working on your mental health
- developing your confidence
- drinking more water
- not allowing others to walk over you
- getting your fitness routine going
- incorporating healthier foods to your diet
- setting realistic goals and expectations for yourself
- working on being a better communicator
- believing in yourself
- being kind to yourself
- just taking care of you
You got this. ✨✨✨
Black women deserve to be taken care of vs always being the caretakers.
Read that again.
Sometimes you really just have to let some people be in their damn feelings!
While your intentions are good, offering unwarranted solutions when someone’s feeling low AF can often times dig a deeper hole, ex: more negative thoughts, bring on anxiety/increase anxiety, feeling misunderstood, feeling incapable while also feeling pressure (ex: omg I have to try to bring myself to do XYZ to get out of this episode when I’m already struggling with X?!), etc.
What I mean by unwarranted solutions is saying things like, “I did this and it worked”, “you should try this”, “that’s tough…. BUT have you thought about”….
JEEZUS MAKE IT STOP!!!
Okay… but how do I know whether to give my input or not?
When someone’s venting to you, ask them if they’d like your input/advice or if they prefer you to just listen.
If they want you to just listen, JUST LISTEN. Don’t feel like you need to solve a problem or provide therapy unless you’re actually their therapist!
‼️However, if this person is in harm (this also includes harming themselves) and the situation is detrimental to their well being, definitely do not take a back seat! Listen to what they’re telling you, sometimes it’s not just venting.‼️
A listening ear sometimes, especially from a friend, is more than enough. Let them be in their damn feelings! #respectfully
About this blog
A space that captures the thoughts, struggles, highs and lows from Black girls. I want this to be a safe space where Black girls can feel supported, heard, and have a sounding board to say what’s on their mind. A safe space where we can feel liberated.
I also want to make it interactive so I’ll eventually ask for y’all to submit thoughts, celebrations, milestones, fears, etc. and I’ll post them to this account and Instagram (will post anonymously).
While the blog and IG will have Black women at the top of mind, allies, you are more than welcome to follow! Allies are an integral part of getting underrepresented groups heard and I appreciate y’all for the work you do! I’m sure there will be some content that allies can relate to, however, that is not the main point which is to give Black girls a safe space to share and be heard.
There will definitely be content that I’m sure everyone can learn from which is most important.
Follow on Instagram - BGL
Content coming soon
“Black journalists are often asked to report on racial injustice, but newsrooms rarely provide resources to process the trauma they may incur. The Black Journalists Therapy Relief Fund provides emergency funding for Black journalists who otherwise can’t afford mental healthcare.” ⬇️⬇️⬇️
https://impact.iwmf.org/give/298519/#!/donation/checkout
Black Journalists Therapy Relief Fund
+++ NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund ⬇️⬇️⬇️
https://www.naacpldf.org/
NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.
+++ “Resources to help learn about and continue to support Black lives in Minneapolis” ⬇️⬇️⬇️
Get to Know Minneapolis’ Black Community
https://www.minneapolis.org/support-black-lives/
+++ Directory of community bail funds for protesters ⬇️⬇️⬇️
https://www.communityjusticeexchange.org/nbfn-directory
