Recently, athletes Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka took a bold stand to prioritize and safeguard their mental health. We must pay attention to the mental health needs of Black women, femmes, girls, and gender-expansive people and work to ensure they get the help they need free of ridicule and judgement.

According to the Black Reproductive Justice Policy Agenda, fewer than four percent of licensed mental health practitioners are Black, meaning that the mental health workforce is inadequate to meet the needs of Black and Brown communities.  

This month we are lifting up the Black Reproductive Justice Policy Agenda and the theme for this week is: Maintaining Sanity while Fighting for Humanity Prioritizing self-care and wellness while practicing advocacy. 

Get involved by sharing this social media post: Black women carry a disproportionate burden in society, facing historical dehumanization, oppression, and violence, while not being able to equally access mental health care or resources. We can no longer ignore the pandemic of mental, emotional, and behavioral needs of Black women, femmes, girls, and gender-expansive individuals. Visit the link in our bio and urge Congress to support the #BlackRJPolicyAgenda and center the lived experiences and mental health needs of Black women. 

Learn more about how the Black RJ Policy Agenda protects Black women’s mental health. blackrj.org/blackrjpolicy.