An Open Letter to my BIPOC Community

Hey, Sis! Hey, Bro! I get it. If ANYONE gets it, you better believe I do.

I know firsthand what it's like to soldier on and turn a blind eye to your mental status. Our instincts tell us that something is off and that we could be happier, but we formulate reasons to ignore and mislabel it as resilience.

I know what it's like not to afford the proper care or be suspicious of providers when we’re finally in the room. It’s more than understandable after hearing stories of or experiencing situations where your pain isn’t acknowledged, your suffering downplayed, or your voice unheard.

I know what it's like not having emotional support from your family or friends because they don't understand your grappling. Sometimes, all they have for you is, “Pray about it,“ or the topic of therapy is met with a misguided, “That’s just for white people.”

As people of color, we face challenges that can sometimes only be understood by someone with shared experiences. The struggles keep coming, the challenges compound, and the weight becomes too heavy. It is vital to seek help before or during those challenging times, or the challenges will attempt to take you out!

Take your preconceived ideas of what therapy or a therapist looks like and wipe them clean. The right mental health partner for you is out there, but you need to move toward it, one step at a time. Start small and do a Google search when you feel you can't express anything to anyone. As you scroll through options, see providers' faces, read their bios, and be aware of where you’re leaning (ethnicity, age, etc.). Take a beat from the search and then look some more. Take another beat and then pick up the phone to ask questions and schedule something if you’re ready.

Regardless of how long you get to that first session, celebrate yourself for every step you have taken. Be proud that you are fighting for yourself and kicking the stigma about mental health in the ass. Be proud to be one step closer to regaining control of your peace.

We're here for you because we understand. Just take one step in our direction – we’ve got you.