Mental health isn’t just a buzzword in our community — it’s life. And yet, there are so many parts of the conversation that feel hushed. We talk about “staying strong” and “handling it,” but rarely about what it really takes to stay whole.
For many Black women, therapy can feel like a luxury, or even unnecessary. We’re conditioned to carry the weight of our families, our communities, and our jobs as if emotional exhaustion is a badge of honor. The truth is, that weight doesn’t have to be ours alone, and acknowledging it doesn’t make us weak — it makes us human.
We live in fast cities like Chicago, where the streets move quicker than our minds can keep up. There’s trauma that comes from systemic pressures, generational stress, and even casual microaggressions that chip away at our mental space every single day. And yet, there’s an expectation to appear unshakable.
Self-care isn’t just about facemasks or expensive lattes. It’s about the hard work of looking inward: going to therapy, talking openly with friends who get it, setting boundaries, and recognizing that your emotional energy is valuable. It’s about naming the anxiety, depression, or stress you feel without shame, and finding ways to navigate it — whether that’s journaling, reading, meditating, or simply taking a quiet walk in your neighborhood.
The conversations nobody is having often revolve around guilt and expectation. Black mental health is tied to resilience, but resilience doesn’t mean ignoring your needs. It means being honest about them and actively protecting your peace. Talking about mental health openly can save relationships, careers, and most importantly, lives.
We need to normalize these conversations not just for ourselves, but for the next generation of Black kids, especially girls, who deserve to see that strength isn’t about carrying it all silently. Strength is about knowing when to pause, when to ask for help, and when to prioritize your mind as much as your grind.
Black mental health isn’t shameful. It’s essential. And it’s time we start talking about it, honestly, openly, and unapologetically.
