"It's important to destigmatize mental health services in the Black community," says MSW student Kierra Gray, discussing National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month (July 2020). "Some older Black folks may not believe in therapy. They say, 'Go to church and pray.' Well, you can have God and a therapist! I let my family know it's okay to seek mental health services. We will be better off as a community if we have safe spaces to talk about issues instead of passing on generational trauma." Gray says that this generation (millennials and gen Z) is more open-minded about mental health. "I'm holding space for my three-year-old daughter to talk about her feelings. She says, 'I'm sad about this,' and I say, 'Good! I'm glad you're saying it! Let's talk about it.'
Regarding the murders of George Floyd and other Black and Brown women at the hands of police, the conversations are just getting started. "It's in our face," Gray says, "on social media and the news. We must talk about it and take action. Any time there is a cop near me, I tense up. I might have to explain myself and my humanity."
The space to talk about these and other issues may be hard to find. When Gray herself was looking for a therapist, she wanted "a black woman, period!" But therapists of color—especially psychiatrists—can be hard to find. Gray recommends www.therapyforblackgirls.com to get started. One day soon, your search might return Kierra Gray's name.