So, May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and I've been thinking about the barriers many people face to accessing care. Stigma is a major barrier to seeking support, whether professional or from friends and family, and when we don't talk about our struggles, it's also hard to combat stigma. As I was writing this post, I saw that the National Alliance on Mental Illness has made fighting stigma their 2018 campaign:
“There’s a virus spreading across America. It harms the 1 in 5 Americans affected by mental health conditions. It shames them into silence. It prevents them from seeking help. And in some cases, it takes lives. What virus are we talking about? It’s stigma. Stigma against people with mental health conditions. But there’s good news. Stigma is 100% curable. Compassion, empathy and understanding are the antidote. Your voice can spread the cure. Join NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Together we can #CureStigma.”
Talking about mental health and sharing our stories helps create permission for others to do so too. So, I wanted to share about some awesome podcasters who are raising mental health awareness in the Black community (with thanks to Vena Davis, LCSW of the Honey Be Podcast and Kelly & Miranda for the tip about these great resources). Good listens for us all!
