By Sasha Allen Maryland mental health advocates and providers are relieved coming out of this year’s legislative session, where state lawmakers decided against a drastic cut in funding to the state’s year-old, big-money program aimed at improving the mental health of its young people. The Consortium on Coordinated Community Supports, created under the state’s ambitious […]
Category: Mental Health
Posted inHealth
Brain Injury Awareness Month
March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, offering a time to bring attention and support to an issue often overlooked in the Black community.
Posted inAfro Briefs
In Massachusetts and elsewhere, youngsters find healing through art
Art therapy, as exemplified by Raw Art Works (RAW) in Lynn, Massachusetts, helps young people express and process emotions through creative activities in a supportive community. RAW’s approach fosters resilience and healing by using group-led art projects rather than focusing on individual diagnoses, reflecting the broader impact of art therapy seen in various institutions and community programs nationwide.
Posted inBooks
Writing through trauma: How one man is using his story to inspire change
After a decade of reflection and research, former inmate Kevin Shird has completed his memoir, a powerful exploration of trauma, redemption and the need for better mental health support. Through his personal story of overcoming incarceration, PTSD and a past filled with violence, Shird advocates for a shift in the Black community’s approach to mental health. His book highlights the importance of seeking help, particularly for those who have been incarcerated, and calls for better mental health resources. As a mentor and educator, Kevin hopes to inspire others to embrace change and seek support in their own journeys toward healing.
Posted inHealth
U.S. Surgeon General declares parental stress a public health issue as Black parents continue to face challenges
Former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy’s report, “Parents Under Pressure,” highlights parental stress as a public health issue, emphasizing the unique challenges Black parents face while raising their children into adulthood. Through personal stories, parents share their struggles, resilience, and the ongoing stress of protecting and guiding their sons.
Posted inBaltimore News
Delta women shed light on human trafficking, domestic abuse at self-defense workshop
The Baltimore Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. hosted a physical and mental health workshop to address domestic violence, human trafficking, self-care, and self-defense, in partnership with the House Of Ruth Maryland, Araminta, and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc.
Posted inMaryland Government
Maryland spent big on youth mental health – but then the budget crisis hit
Maryland’s youth mental health program, which supports behavioral health services for over 58,000 students, is facing a significant funding cut, potentially threatening its future and the well-being of its participants.
Posted inHealth
Processed red meat isn’t just bad for your heart– it’s also associated with dementia
A recent study found that consuming processed red meat, such as sausages, bacon, and hotdogs, is associated with a 16 percent higher risk of dementia and a faster rate of cognitive aging.
Posted inMental Health
Prioritizing therapy and mental health in 2025: Navigating challenges and embracing healing
As the new presidential administration takes over, maintaining well-being is crucial for Black Americans, with self-care and therapy being important tools to manage the increased stress and challenges they will face in the next four years.
Posted inHealth
New schizophrenia drug may have milder side effects
The FDA has approved the first new drug in decades to treat chronic schizophrenia, which is effective and has fewer side effects than existing treatments, and could be beneficial to the Black community, where the rate of schizophrenia diagnoses is estimated to be up to five times higher than in the White community.
Posted inHealth
Here are the medical appointments you need to make in 2025
This year, individuals should schedule a variety of medical appointments, including a primary care visit, reproductive care screenings, dental visits, immunizations, and mental health screenings, to ensure optimal health and well-being.
Posted inBUSINESS
Joy Evans Therapeutic Center opens in Ward 7
The Joy Evans Therapeutic Recreation Center, a $40.4 million project, has opened in Ward 7 to provide Washingtonians with critical services that strengthen physical, cognitive and emotional wellness, and is named after a former resident of Forest Haven, a D.C. institution for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.