988 Diaspora Campaign for Mental Health

Associated Contributor | Fun Times Magazine

Stigmas and other barriers often prevent people of African descent from seeking treatment for their mental illness. One of the primary barriers is a lack of Black mental health professionals. This fact has spurred the 988 Diaspora Campaign to develop a listing of local culturally-competent mental healthcare providers in addition to promoting use of the 988 Lifeline to the African Diaspora (Africans, African Americans, Caribbean and Afro-Latino). Initiated by FunTimes Magazine and funded by the Knight-Lenfest Local News Transformation Fund, the campaign promotes awareness and use of the federal 988 Mental Health Lifeline. 988 is also being promoted as an alternative to calling 911 when someone is experiencing a mental health crisis, which often has negative results for Black people when the police arrive.

Visit Fun Times Magazine for more information about the 988 Diaspora Campaign where you will find additional resources, tools and statistics. You will also find a list of 988 Black Mental Health Providers. Remember, if you or a loved one is battling a mental health crisis, call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org and you will be connected to call centers around the nation, which include 13 in Pennsylvania and one in Philadelphia. The 988 Mental Health Lifeline is free, anonymous and available 24/7. 

Remember, Black Therapists Matter! Listen to “WURD Black Mental Health Moments,” 3:45 p.m, each Friday in September on “Groundings” with Brother Shomari, featuring Black mental health therapists discussing their practice. Tune in at 900AM, 96.1FM,  wurdradio.com or the WURD Radio App!