| A Letter from our Founder & Executive Director |
|
Dear Joseph Dickerson,
I stand in solidarity with the Black community, and especially with our Black alumni, colleagues, donors, advisors, and their families. Our organization adds our voices to the chorus condemning racism and proclaiming that Black Lives Matter. I am heartbroken and outraged by the continuous murders of Black people--including George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and too many others--often at the hands of police officers. This, coupled with the data that COVID-19 is disproportionately affecting communities of color, has further emphasized the systemic racism and unjust disparities in our country.
I created this organization to provide a platform for those who are often silenced, and I recognize that we need to support and share even more stories from the Black community. As a mental health and storytelling organization, we understand not only the value of telling stories, but also of listening. I commit to amplifying the voices of the Black community as well as those of Indigenous people and People of Color through This Is My Brave, knowing that racism, discrimination, and associated trauma have severe affects on mental health.
I am listening, I hear you, and I stand with you.
We have started where I feel This Is My Brave can have an immediate impact: by shining a light on resources specific to Black mental health. We have updated the resources section of our website to highlight these organizations. This is just a start. If you know of a resource we should be sharing, please email me.
Personally, I know I have a lot of work to do. I have chosen to begin this work by reading How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi, and I recommend his work as a great place to start.
This week our team has been working to begin forming partnerships and collaborations with Black mental health organizations, as there is power in our collective energy. We are grateful to have been welcomed by these organizations and I vow to keep you posted on our progress towards equity.
With love and hope,
Jennifer Marshall
Co-Founder & Executive Director
This Is My Brave, Inc. |
|
| If you are experiencing trauma, anxiety, or other mental health issues during these stressful and heart-breaking times, there are resources available to you. Please seek help. |
|
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor at Crisis Text Line.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Take a FREE Mental Health Screening Test: Online screening is one of the quickest and easiest ways to determine whether you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition. Get screened. |
|
| Mental Health Resources for People of Color |
|
|
We are committed to amplifying and elevating the voices of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) who have experienced mental illness and/or substance use disorder. We are now accepting blog submissions written or created exclusively by BIPOC to publish during the months of June and July.
Guest bloggers will be compensated for their work. If you are interested in submitting, please email us to learn more about the stories we are seeking to share in our community. |
|
Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube to hear all the latest from This Is My Brave! Simply click on the icons below to find us.
|
|
Thank You to Our 2020 National Sponsors
|
|
Forward this email to a friend or share on social media:
|
|
|
|
No comments:
Post a Comment