Postpartum recovery isn’t about going back to who you were before motherhood—it’s about rediscovering yourself through intentional self-care. In this article, a mother and a doula share honest reflections on how rest, movement, boundaries, and self-compassion shape healing after birth.
Category: Mental Health
Posted inMental Health
Family counseling: A look at how mental health professionals are healing generational trauma
By Mekhi AbbottSpecial to the AFROmabbott@afro.com Therapists are emphasizing the importance of family therapy in order to address the generational trauma that exists in the family tree. Black families specifically can benefit through group therapy given the history of complicated dynamics that may be present in certain households. “Family counseling is very important because it […]
Posted inCommentary
Where’s the class for grief? Why schools must make healing mandatory
By Kanika Cousine In March 2025, 16-year-old Sincere Jazmin was fatally shot while seated at a bus stop in Jamaica, Queens, after stepping off his school bus. According to the New York Post, he ran into a nearby deli before collapsing and dying on-site. Just days later, a 16-year-old student at Lansdowne High School in […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Tuskegee University mourns sudden death of student-athlete
Tuskegee University is grieving the death of junior mechanical engineering student and Golden Tiger baseball player Macahri Washington-Parker, remembered by peers and faculty as a dedicated leader and mentor. His passing, amid broader concerns about suicide among Black youth, has prompted an outpouring of support from the campus community and his family, who celebrate his lasting impact on those he touched.
Posted inWord In Black
Youth activism: The crucial role of family support
Young changemakers are leading movements for climate action, gun violence prevention and equal representation—supported by families who help them heal, organize and sustain their activism.
Posted inHealth
Black disability advocates who helped shape civil rights
Black history and disability rights history are more connected than many realize, thanks to leaders like Brad Lomax and Lois Curtis. Their advocacy forged pathways for justice where race and disability intersect.
Posted inWord In Black
Why gunshot injuries disrupt manhood for Black men
A new Rutgers study reveals that Black men disabled by gun violence often struggle with a loss of independence, identity, and their perceived ability to fulfill traditional roles of manhood. Many survivors feel like burdens to their families and experience emotional and psychological distress as they navigate life-altering physical and mental health challenges.
Posted inBaltimore News
Dr. Toni Boulware Stackhouse highlights National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month highlights the stark disparities in mental health care access and outcomes among racial and ethnic minorities in the US, and Life Matters Wellness is taking action to provide culturally competent care and reduce barriers to access.
Posted in#Education
When the bullying follows you home: A teen’s guide to surviving online cruelty
By Megan SaylesAFRO Staff Writermsayles@afro.com Before the rise of social media, group chats and online forums, bullying was often confined to the school yard, classroom or cafeteria—places teens could physically leave behind at the end of the day. But now, digital devices and 24/7 connectivity have extended those boundaries, allowing harmful behavior to follow young […]
Posted inMental Health
Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman aims to empower Black youth with mental health legislation
Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman has reintroduced the “Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act,” a bill designed to address the mental health crisis affecting youth, particularly Black youth, by increasing access to culturally competent care and supporting research into racial disparities in mental health. The legislation proposes $995 million in grants to fund research, reduce stigma, and train providers to meet the unique needs of minority communities.
Posted inReligion
Celebrating National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month: A look at therapists with religious- based practices
July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. This week, the AFRO takes a look at therapists with religious- based practices.
Posted inUncategorized
Depression, exhaustion and fear: The hidden burdens of dementia caregiving
Millions of Americans caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s face deep emotional, financial and physical strain while struggling to find support. This National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, experts and caregivers stress prioritizing self-care and seeking resources early to avoid isolation and burnout.