Our country has a serious mental health crisis. According to a 2014 study in Newsweek, it is reported that 1 in 5 American’s suffers from mental illness.  Conversations surrounding it have become more crucial in the most recent months, with an astronomical amount of mass shooting and a turbulent political climate. What has even become a more necessary conversation is what mental health looks like for people of color. In most recent years, we have seen conversations surrounding mental health and wellness in shows like Empire and Insecure, with a predominantly black cast. Ya’ll remember when Andre finally admitted to being bipolar and Issa told Molly she needed to get some therapy. We have even witnessed behavior from celebrities publicly acting, speaking, and admitting to dealing with some form of a mental health issue. Sure silver screens and social media conversations bring the issue to light, but beyond that what other discussions are there?   

Organizations like Sista Af-(e)-ya founded by Camesha Jones are certainly trying to ignite the conversations on mental health, especially as they pertain to African-American women.  In this episode of the Good Seeker, I sit down with the radical social worker, activist, and founder of the health and wellness resource Sista Af-(e)-ya as we discuss the culturally taboo topic of mental health and what we can do as a people and a generation to help overcome it.