In a culture where many in the BIPOC community view mental health and therapy as taboo, Black Mental Avenue aims to create a new avenue of thought. Our mission is to sow seeds of thought-provoking change around the stigma of mental health within the BIPOC community. This strong desire to spark change stems from firsthand experiences of how mental health is addressed within the BIPOC community. We are often told to “pray about it,” “you have nothing to feel sad about,” or even “you’re making that up.” These statements forced us to mask our feelings and shy away from voicing them, thus continuing the cycle of silent suffering.

As suicide rates among the Black and Brown community continue to rise, the time for change is now. We understand that finding the right mental health solution can be challenging, especially when you have no point of reference. By creating safe avenues for authentic mental health discussions and providing access to therapy and resources, Black Mental Avenue’s vision is to break intergenerational traumas and witnessed cycles, promoting healing within our community. If we can start the work within ourselves, we can create new ways of thinking for the generations after us.