The Unwind: BIPOC Mental Health Month resources
July is BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) Mental Health Month, also referred to as Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. In an effort to bring awareness to struggles that people of color face regarding mental health in the U.S., Yahoo Life is dedicating this edition of The Unwind — in which Yahoo staffers share their personal wellness discoveries — to resources for BIPOC communities.
Venting to my Black therapist
When I became a mother nearly two years ago, I had sort of an idea of how my relationship with my partner would change and the work required to not “lose ourselves.” Yet I had no concept of the amount of unlearning I needed to do on a personal level to be the best version of myself so that I could continue being an amazing mother. This was a harsh reality I faced during virtual therapy sessions. Finding a Black woman therapist who I not only connected with but could also afford was no simple task. After months of poring over professionals listed on the Therapy for Black Girls directory, reading countless client reviews online and inquiring about new patient appointments, I discovered a mental health expert in the midst of a pandemic who has provided me insight and tools as a Black woman in America. And that is priceless! — Dana Oliver, beauty director and managing editor of branded content
Challenging mental health stigmas in APIDA communities
Stigmas surrounding mental health abound in Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) communities as they do in most BIPOC populations. As a result, APIDA are three times less likely to use mental health services compared to the general U.S. population. Further, with the COVID-19 pandemic, East Asians have experienced a rise in racism and xenophobia leading to increased anxiety and depression. Stop AAPI Hate has collected over 800 incidents of harassment in the last three months in California alone. I've spent a lot of time during quarantine trying to learn how I can challenge mental health stigmas in my community. Fortunately, there are some great resources like the Asian Mental Health Collective, which has programmed virtual round tables and recently launched a new podcast, all with the mission to raise awareness around mental health in Asian communities globally. Crushing The Myth, an APIDA speaker series, has hosted several people speaking on the topic, including the latest episode with South Asian therapist Israa Nasir and a previous talk with Natalie Feng Lin and her journey with schizophrenia. The Asian Boss Girl podcast featured a woman named Christine Chen and her experience with depression and a more recent episode with Bay Area therapist Haesue Jo. There has also been an abundance of virtual events. The Cosmos, a community for APIDA women, hosts community workshops with a focus on wellness and mental well-being, while Rock The Boat, a podcast elevating the stories of APIDA leaders and founders, has hosted great mental health-focused conversations. — Cindy Joung, senior product manager
Letting LeBron lull you to sleep
Shutting my brain “off” before bedtime has been tough lately. Between COVID-19, working longer hours at home and taking summer classes — not to mention recent civil unrest — there’s a lot to carry throughout the day. When it comes to falling asleep my mind wants to stay up and use every last second of “downtime.” I want to finish all the chores, read and watch all the things. I’ve been referred to the Calm app and gave it try. The first recommendation that popped up for me on the app was LeBron James’s “Train Your Mind.” What I liked about this “meditation” series is that it’s not meditation in the traditional sense. In a five-part series, LeBron’s surprisingly calming voice walks you through his mental strength training. In under 10 minutes, he drops crucial knowledge that can be applied to our own journey. After listening to him you realize why he is considered by many to be the G.O.A.T. It inspires me to be the best version of myself by harnessing some discipline and practicing self-kindness. He takes his sleep so seriously, he schedules his days around it. As a lover of sleep myself, this was the validation I needed to take my bedtime routine more seriously. I can’t believe I’m saying this but … LeBron James really did “check” me on getting decent sleep! — Nathalie Cruz, multimedia designer
Taking time to take care
My mental and emotional health has been a priority for me during the pandemic, and apps have been a great help. One of my favorite apps is Sanity & Self, created by Ming Li. It is very inviting and has so many programs that are tailored to the BIPOC community, in addition to being LGTBQ-friendly. Right after my breakup earlier this year, I took advantage of the app’s separate subscription service to get daily contact with a mental health therapist. I am grateful that my therapist was a fellow woman of color who helped me find the light during a dark time. — Megan Sims, Yahoo Life writer
For more mental health resources servicing BIPOC communities, consult this list:
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