Thank you for visiting NORMALIZEHELP.ORG.
Our goal is to fight the stigma around seeking help in the Black community.
Mental health conditions do not discriminate based on race, gender, or religion. However, there are huge differences in those who seek and have access to care when in psychological distress.
An estimated 26.2 percent (46.6 million) of Americans ages 18 years old and older — about one in four adults — suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year.
African Americans are less likely to utilize mental health services and more likely to seek support from their families and/or their church elders and leadership during times of emotional and psychological upset. In fact, a 2008 study found that 90.4% of African Americans reported use of religious coping in dealing with mental health issues.
Whether you are talking to family members, friends, your pastor or a professional, it is important to get the help and support you need when you need it.
7 MYTHS ABOUT THERAPY
Help is always round the corner.
All you need to do is ask for it.
All you need to do is ask for it.
| MYTH | FACT |
|---|---|
| I’m weak if I go to therapy. | Asking for help is a sign of strength. Acknowledging that you can’t do it alone takes bravery, especially when you might experience disapproval from those around you. Choosing YOU takes confidence and self-empowerment. Embrace your power! |
| I don’t have a mental health problem. This is just life! | 1 in 5 people in the U.S. are living with some type of mental health condition. Many are overwhelmed and feeling the impact of the global health pandemic as well as the social injustice across this country. Know that our mental health is experienced on a spectrum, ranging from mild to severe. While you may not meet the criteria for a diagnosed mental health problem, it is possible that you may experience some symptoms that if ignored, can turn into something more serious. |
| Therapy is only for White people. | A long history of mistreatment, and discrimination, along with lack of access to care and cultural insensitivity by care professionals has contributed to a suspicion of the health care system by Black folks. Additionally, seeking help for emotional or mental upset can be seen as a luxury or an unnecessary extra. It’s a space that we haven’t seen ourselves in. However, just because therapy hasn’t been a part of our past, doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t be a part of our future. Therapy is for anyone who needs a little help to function and feel better. |
| Depression is normal. Everybody feels depressed. | Feelings of sadness are a normal reaction to difficult times. Sadness is one of many feelings. While those suffering from Depression may feel sad, they also experience a number of other symptoms that last for a long time and begin to interfere with their daily functioning. Depression is not a normal part of life for anyone. It is possible to experience mild forms of depression and without intervention, can turn into a more severe form of clinical depression. Early intervention is key to overall health. |
| I’m a Christian and I just need to talk to God and he will give me the answers. | While prayer is essential and helpful, prayer and help from those around you might be the divine answer. There are many helping professionals that will integrate prayer into your work with them. Getting support doesn’t have to be Either-Or, it can be Both-And. Remember the Bible tells us to seek wise counsel. (Proverbs 24:6, Proverbs 28:26) |
| Therapy is very expensive, and I can’t afford it. | Though therapy can be expensive, particularly when seeing a therapist in private practice, there are many clinicians who offer therapy on a sliding scale and are willing to work with you based on your financial situation. Community mental health and other non-profit organizations also offer therapy at a significantly reduced rate and sometimes for free. Mental health services may also be offered through your Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Free mental health services are also available through on-line programs. Be encouraged and know there are several affordable options for you to take care of your mental health. |
| Self-Care is Selfish! | Self-Care is necessary. Most of us have heard the saying. “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” This means that we can’t do for anyone, not even ourselves when we are on empty. Self-care provides us the opportunity to replenish our minds, bodies, and souls. |
HELP US FIGHT THE STIGMA IN SEEKING HELP FOR THE BLACK COMMUNITY
Whether you are talking to family members, friends, your pastor or a professional, it is important to get the help and support you need when you need it.
RESOURCES
Below is a list of resources that may help you find support.
National Help Lines
Dial 988
The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.
Dial 2-1-1
If you need assistance finding food, paying for housing bills, accessing free childcare, or other essential services.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a United States-based suicide prevention network of over 160 crisis centers that provides 24/7 service via a toll-free hotline with the number 1-800-273-8255. It is available to anyone in a suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
Crisis Text Line
Text MHA to 741741 and you’ll be connected to a trained Crisis Counselor. The Crisis Text Line serves anyone, in any type of crisis, providing access to free, 24/7 support via a medium people already use and trust:
National Domestic Violence Hotline
For any victims and survivors who need support, call 1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-799-7233 for TTY, or if you’re unable to speak safely, you can log onto thehotline.org or text LOVEIS to 22522.
The National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline
Call 800.656.HOPE (4673) to be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area.
Caregiver Help Desk
Contact Caregiver Action Network's Care Support Team by dialing 855-227-3640. Staffed by caregiving experts, the Help Desk helps you find the right information you need to help you navigate your complex caregiving challenges. Caregiving experts are available 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM ET.
The Partnership for Drug-free Kids Helpline
Call 1-855-378-4373 if you are having difficulty accessing support for your family, or a loved one struggling with addiction, care or treatment challenges resulting from COVID-19 circumstances, the Partnership for Drug-free Kids' specialists can guide you. Support is available in English and Spanish, from 9:00 am -midnight ET weekdays and noon-5:00pm ET on weekends.
The Trevor Project
Call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678. A national 24-hour, toll free confidential suicide hotline for youth alternative sexual orientation.
Text Line provides free, text-based support 24/7.
Disaster Distress Helpline
The national Disaster Distress Helpline is available for anyone experiencing emotional #distress related to natural or human-caused disasters. Call or text 1-800-985-5990 to be connected to a trained, caring counselor, 24/7/365. Disasterdistress.samhsa.gov
Los Angeles County Therapy Resources
Open Paths Counseling Center ((310) 258-9677)
301 N. Prairie Avenue, Suite 510Inglewood, CA 90301
Open Paths Counseling Center asserts that the mental and emotional health and wellbeing of people living in Los Angeles’ underserved, under-resourced, and marginalized communities is vitally important.
Consulting Collective (323-379-3394)
3838 W. Carson Street | Ste. 300
Torrance, CA 90503
https://consultingcollective.org/
Consulting Collective is a group of social service providers dedicated to improving quality of life. Services include psychodiagnostic assessment, psychotherapy, social skills training, behavioral therapy (ABA) and parent coaching. Additionally, Consulting Collective provides dedicated training and consultation to other service providers.
Dr. Tina Armstrong
The Goal is to enhance the quality of life for high achieving Black women and their community. Dr. Tina created Living Connected MBS, Inc., to combat the negative health disparities that Black women experience by using an integrated biopsychosocial + spiritual approach to promote wellbeing and flourishing.
Therapy For Black Men
https://therapyforblackmen.org/
At TherapyforBlackMen.org, we want to break the stigma that asking for help is a sign of weakness. With a rapidly growing directory of 524 therapists and 43 coaches throughout the fifty states thus far, we are here to provide judgment-free, multiculturally-competent care to Black men.
You don’t have to man up. Let’s talk it through together.
EMMADA Psychology Center - (866) 863-4645
Los Angeles, CA 90045 https://www.emmadapsych.com/
It is Emmada’s vision to help clients to overcome long-standing issues and challenges that are preventing them from reaching their full potential in life.
The Emmada Psychology Center is offering culturally-sensitive services to people and communities of color that have traditionally resisted therapy as a method of healing.
Haven of Hope Counseling Services - (424) 393-2789
Long Beach, CA 90810 https://Havenofhopecounselingservices.com
Offers tele-health services via a virtual platform addressing anxiety, depression, marriage counseling, premarital counseling, etc. Haven of Hope is committed to establishing an authentic, attuned and empathic rapport with clients.
Airport Marina Counseling Services - (310) 670-1410
Los Angeles, CA 90045
https://www.amcshelps.com
Founded in 1962, is a nonprofit, community-based mental health clinic.
La Vie Counseling Center: Baker Mark W PHD (800) 483-9591
Santa Monica, CA 90403
http://www.laviecounseling.org/
Christian psychotherapists, psychologists and counselors ready to help at La Vie's locations in Pasadena and Santa Monica and via telehealth.
Therapy for Black Girls
https://therapyforblackgirls.com/
Therapy for Black Girls is an online space dedicated to encouraging the mental wellness of Black women and girls.
Soco Rey Therapy - socorey.com
Inglewood, CA
Provides individual and couples therapy along with children’s skill-building services. Our healing space was designed to mimic a home… because home is where we learn, home is where we love, home is where we hurt and home is where we heal. We invite every client to let their walls down and allow their healing to unfold here. We at Soco Rey Therapy find it important to line our walls and shelves with figures, art and literature representing our stories, our strength and our power.
Whole Brother Mission
https://wholebrothermission.com
The Whole Brother Mission is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that seeks to equip men to be whole in every area of life. We do this by connecting men with licensed mental health professionals, life coaches/mentors, and resources to establish a better quality of life. We have a nationwide network of counselors, therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, mentors, and life coaches with a variety of specializations to serve you best.
Building Quality Relationships
(323) 457-4407
www.Buildingqualityrelationships.com
Help individuals and couples create full meaningful lives. Offers Christian Counseling, Premarital counseling, and counseling for men’s issues. Offers telehealth services.
K&S Therapeutic Services, Inc.
(424) 294-8925
5200 W Century Blvd Suite 495, Los Angeles, CA 90045
https://kandstherapy.com/
Specialties: Relationship Issues, Child Trauma, PTSD
Dr. Wendy Ashley, LCSW PsyD and Thelese Consulting
(310) 359-8157
13101 Washington Blvd., Ste. 138
Los Angeles, CA 90066
https://theleseconsultinggroup.com
Specialties: Anxiety Disorders, Couples Counseling, Marriage & Family
Lauren Turner, LCSW(424) 772-4129
3756 Santa Rosalia Drive suite #326
Los Angeles, CA 90008
Specialties: Depression, Anxiety, Sports Performance
Bryan Doster, M.A., AMFT, #106956
Supervised by Dr. Chris Hoff, PhD, LMFT #53081
(949) 891-1832
2900 Bristol St, C-104
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
www.bryandostertherapy.com
Specialties: Individuals, Couples, Families
Online Services
Brother Be Well
https://brotherbewell.com/A culturally-affirming innovative community. A multimedia platform for boys and men of color blending awareness, innovation, education, and healing pathways to reduce disparities, disrupt prolonged suffering, and improve health and mental wellness.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)- https://www.nami.org/Home
NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI provides advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives.
Support Group Central: https://www.supportgroupscentral.com/index.cfm
Curates support groups from other organizations, such as the NAMI and re:MIND. You can search for groups by topics such as depression, addiction, LGBTQ+, and even COVID-19. Most groups are free or have a small suggested donation, and you can sign up for email alerts about future meetings by topic too.
Grief Anonymous: https://www.griefanonymous.com/
Grief Anonymous is a grief support organization dedicated to assisting those grieving the loss of a loved one. We are an established, USA-based, global grief support online organization. Grief Anonymous supports local community-based support group meetings that are designed to help our members.