Jun 9

Jun 9 Keeping Up the Momentum

We’ve been thinking a lot about how to sustain momentum after this news cycle has passed, what role we’ll play in a massive fight against systemic racism...a long overdue fight for equality.

Because If Lost, Start Here exists to bring people closer to impactful mental health initiatives and independently-owned spaces, it makes sense that our energy stays here, but this time, with an added focus on the spaces founded by and for the Black community. .

In the world of mental health, with all of the stigma and misconceptions that surround it, the Black community has been particularly impacted. Today, we are taking a moment to highlight some of the spaces and projects that have been founded in response, some of which we’ve featured in the past, some that are totally new to us. From therapy directories and podcasts to yoga studios and books, there is a wealth of resources available from the Black community. Our focus will stretch across the US and the UK so please feel free to share any relevant projects. (We will continue to update this list.)

Approximately 15% percent of the US population identifies as Black. That means AT LEAST 15% of our content should be featuring spaces and initiatives founded by Black individuals. We are pledging to hold ourselves to this standard by ensuring that at least 1 of every 5 features in our guide (20%) is of a Black-owned business.

We are kicking off this initiative by donating to The Loveland Foundation (a therapy fund for Black womxn and girls). We will continue to donate 10% of any proceeds to this foundation moving forward.

BLACK LIVES MATTER

BLACK MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS

Illustration of @uluvmylovefaces by @jcgmisul ✨

This has been a difficult week for so many. If you’re struggling (or simply looking to take care of yourself more deeply) please check out these amazing projects and organizations.

Featured

Jun 9, 2020

Therapy For Black Girls

Jun 9, 2020

Founded by Dr. Joy Harden Bradford PhD (licensed psychologist, speaker and the host of the wildly popular mental health podcast, Therapy for Black Girls), Therapy for Black Girls is an online space dedicated to encouraging the mental wellness of Black women and girls. So often the stigma surrounding mental health issues and therapy prevents Black women from taking the step of seeing a therapist. This space was developed to present mental health topics in a way that feels more accessible and relevant.In addition to their online therpist-directory, Therapy for Black Girls also offers an entire online community for Black women called The Yellow Couch Collective: a space for Black women to gather support, encourage and learn from eachother.

Jun 9, 2020

BlackGirlOm

Jun 9, 2020

BlackGirlInOm promotes holistic wellness and inner beauty for women of color. We affirm through our work the consistent, preventative actions that cultivate a clarity of mind, a strength of body, a prosperity of spirit, and an inspiration in our environments.

Jun 9, 2020

Melanin and Mental Health

Jun 9, 2020

Founded by clinicians Eboni Harris, MA, LPC, LMFT and Eliza Boquin MA, LMFT “Melanin & Mental Health® was born out of a desire to connect individuals with culturally competent clinicians committed to serving the mental health needs of Black & Latinx/Hispanic communities.” In addition to a searchable online directory of Dope Therapists, Melanin and Mental Health also hold in-person events, provide links to pertinent national resources and put out their very own podcast, Between Sessions. The Between Sessions Podcast features Dope Therapists + Deep Conversations with “two brown chicks changing the face of therapy on both sides of the couch.”

Jun 9, 2020

black girls breathing™ creates a safe space for black womxn to actively nurture their mental, emotional and spiritual health via meditational breathwork in a safe environment.

Jasmine Marie is a breath-worker and the founder of black girls breathing™. Her work has influenced hundreds of black women across the country. She’s brought her expertise to organizations such as Harvard Business School, Columbia University Journalism School, Cornell University - ILR, New York University Stern School of Business, UCLA amongst others. black girls breathing™ was her solution to addressing the epidemic of chronic stress and its physical symptoms amongst black women and providing an accessible tool to remedy that.

Jun 9, 2020

The Loveland Foundation

Jun 9, 2020

The Loveland Foundation is a therapy fund for Black womxn and girls founded by activist, writer and lecturer Rachel Cargle.

What they say? Through our partnerships with Therapy for Black Girls, National Queer & Trans Therapists of Color Network, Talkspace and Open Path Collective, Loveland Therapy Fund recipients will have access to a comprehensive list of mental health professionals across the country providing high quality, culturally competent services to Black women and girls.

Jun 9, 2020