Have you heard: today, May 1st, marks the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Month. And while discussions centered on mental health are finally becoming the norm, fighting stigmas within the Black community can still feel like an uphill battle.

Between that and having access to various kinds of therapies, to being properly diagnosed, the path to getting help can feel overwhelming. So this month is all about speaking up, supporting one another’s stories, and doing so unapologetically. 

It’s also about acknowledging those who’ve come before us because the roots of Black mental health advocacy and care run deep. For starters, pioneers like Dr. Mamie Phipps Clark, whose groundbreaking research on Black children’s self-perception informed the Brown v. Board of Education decision and helped expose the psychological toll of racism. 

There's also the brilliant Dr. Joy DeGruy, whose work on Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome offers a framework to understand generational trauma. This list goes on!

Now, a new wave of Black-led organizations, therapists, and digital creators are meeting people where they are: on their phones. They’re also connecting with us through our communities by way of various organizations IRL. 

Ahead, for those in need of a little inspiration, here are a few voices and platforms helping redefine our relationship with mental health wellness for a new era.

Latham Thomas: Thomas is a wellness leader blending self-care, reproductive justice, and mindfulness. She encourages a more holistic view of mental health. @glowmaven

Jessamyn Stanley: Through yoga and candid storytelling, Stanley challenges toxic fitness culture and promotes body acceptance. Her work reframes movement as a mental health tool, not punishment.(@mynameisjessamyn)

Rwenshaun Miller: As a licensed therapist, he speaks openly about the pressures Black men face and the importance of emotional expression. His platform creates space for vulnerability without shame. @rwenshaun

Rachel Cargle: Cargle merges education, activism, and mental health advocacy, often focusing on the intersections of race and womanhood. Her work includes resource-sharing that connects followers to IRL support. @rachel.cargle

Dr. Raquel Martin: Martin is a clinical psychologist known for her direct, myth-busting approach. She often calls out systemic gaps in care while offering practical tools. @drraquelmartin

Black Male Mental Health: This platform centers therapy access, peer support, and stigma reduction for Black men. It also connects users with culturally competent providers. blackmalementalhealth.com

Healing While Black: A digital community focused on collective healing and is dedicated to normalizing conversations around health and wellness for Black queer, trans, and gender non-conforming people. (@healingwhileblack)

The Black Mental Health Alliance: A longstanding organization providing therapist directories, educational resources, and community programming. It remains a key bridge between awareness and access. blackmentalhealth.com