Afro Mental Health Resources
Our minds are precious, and it’s vital that they be well taken care of.
The Afro community shares a collective and often, generational trauma. Whether this trauma stems from the effects of prejudice, exploitation, or oppression, the wounds they leave behind all bleed crimson, and they hurt all the same. Across the globe, the wounds within our community are often neglected, ignored, and surrounded by stigma. Afro wishes to help tend to these wounds. So, we’ve created an extensive list of mental health resources that were formed specifically for this purpose. Our Afro brothers and sisters can be found in nearly every spot on the globe, so we tried our best to include as many countries as possible. If there’s an important resource that we’ve missed, please let us know via our Contact page. If we’ve listed a resource that is inaccessible or non-LGBTQ+ friendly, please let us know via our Contact page, and we’ll remove it immediately.
Africa
AMARI: African Mental Health Research Initiative
Amari is a consortium of African universities that aims to equip researchers to lead high quality mental health research programmes that meet the needs of their countries, and to establish a sustainable career path for these researchers.
Email: amariconsortium@gmail.com
Telephone: (+263) 242708020
Nigeria
Mental Health Foundation Nigeria
A non-governmental organization and a social enterprise that seeks to provide practical intervention and services in pursuit of wellness through mental health policy reforms, advocacy, research, training, rehabilitation and care.
“Mental Health Foundation Nigeria envisions a Nigerian society in which mental health is not enshrouded in mysteries, stigma and discrimination as we strive to build a society where people enjoy good relationships, productivity and justice through mental healthcare, advocacy and policy reform.”
Email: info@mentalhealthnigeria.org
Telephone: +2348033236814
“NDỊDỊ is a private mental health practice that provides a warm, accessible and non-judgmental psychotherapy service to help you deal with your life’s challenges so that you can live a fulfilling, peaceful and happier life.”
Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative
An initiative actively campaigning for better mental health policies in Nigeria. This initiative provides various mental health resources, like counselling and mental health assessments.
Instagram: @mentallyawareng
“Neem Foundation is a Non-Governmental Organization that is committed to improving the lives of those affected by the North- East insurgency in Nigeria through building inclusive communities, providing and raising the standards of psycho-social care and countering extremist narratives.”
Telephone: +234 809 454 6808
Email: info@neemfoundation.org.ng
“Empathyspace.ng is run and contributed to by a team of mental health experts led by Consultant Psychiatrist (Dr Kafayah Ogunsola, MBBS, FWACP), Clinical Psychologists, Mental Health Advocates and Enthusiasts”
Email: info@empathyspaceng.org
Telephone: +234-8032295584
Olive Prime Psychological Services
“TOPs runs an individual-need-specific programme where service users are exposed to a variety of therapeutic and psycho-social related groups designed to support, inform and stimulate in order to achieve optimal psychological functioning decked with a flexible pathway towards full recovery by providing hours, days and weeks of structured support.”
Email: info@theoliveprime.com
Telephone: (+234) 0909 MY OLIVE (0909 696 5483)
Ethiopia
Amanuel Mental Hospital
Located in Addis, Ababa, Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital provides treatment on mental illnesses and related problems and mental health rehabilitation services.
Telephone: +251 95 105 1393
Congo
CNPP–Mont Amba in Kinshasa
Department of Neuropsychiatry of Sendwe Hospital in Lubumbashi
CNPP–Katwambi
South Africa
THE SOUTH AFRICAN DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY GROUP (SADAG)
“The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) is at the forefront of patient advocacy, education and destigmatization of mental illness in the country. Its expertise lies in assisting patients and callers throughout South Africa with mental health queries.”
! SADAG Helplines providing free telephonic counselling, information, referrals and resources 7 days a week, 24 hours a day – call 0800 21 22 23, 0800 70 80 90 or 0800 456 789 or the Suicide Helpline 0800 567 567. !
More hotlines:
North America
Canada
“The mission of this Mississauga-based organization is to provide low-income at-risk individuals within the Black community access to affordable evidence-based mental health services, and focuses on culturally responsive services, programs and education for Black children and adults.” (fashionmagazine.com)
Head Office Address: 1020 Matheson Blvd East #10 Mississauga, Ontario L4W1J9
Telephone: 1-888-220-2510
Email: info@blackmentalhealth.ca
Black Women in Motion is a Toronto-based, youth-led organization that empowers and supports the advancement of black womxn and survivors of sexual violence. “We work within an anti-racist, intersectional feminist, trauma-informed and survivor-centred framework to create culturally-relevant content, educational tools, healing spaces and economic opportunities for black womxn.”
Email: info@blackwomeninmotion.org
“Black Youth Helpline serves all youth and specifically responds to the need for a Black youth specific service, positioned and resourced to promote access to professional, culturally appropriate support for youth, families and schools.”
Telephone: 416-285-9944 ~ Toll Free: 1-833-294-8650
Email: info@blackyouth.ca
Provides FREE mental health counseling for children, youth, young adults, and families with infants across Toronto. Phone lines are open Monday to Friday from 9am-7pm. Simply call 1-866-585-6486 to be connected to a counsellor.
Instagram: @whatsupwalkin
ArTeMo Project by Africa Centre
“ArTeMo project is an alternative collaborative approach to promoting mental health among Black Canadian youth and their families in Edmonton and Calgary to improve their psychological, emotional, and social well-being.”
A psychotherapy and wellness service based in Toronto with racially diverse therapists -- now fully virtual. “Our purpose is to provide you with a safe and compassionate environment as we work to help you explore your challenges, understand yourself and your mental health, and to help manage your life more effectively.”
Telephone: 437-333-WELL (9355)
Email: info@well-nest.ca
Instagram: @wellnesttherapy
United States of America
*all descriptions are quoted from NAMI.org*
“Provides information and resources and a “Find a Therapist” locator to connect with a culturally competent mental health professional.”
Address: 900 East Fayette Street #22111 Baltimore, MD 21203
Telephone: (410) 338-2642
Email: info@blackmentalhealth.com
“Provides access to evidence-based information and resources about mental health and behavioral health topics from a Black perspective, as well as training opportunities for students and professionals.”
Email: info@BlackMentalWellness.com
Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective (BEAM)
“Group aimed at removing the barriers that Black people experience getting access to or staying connected with emotional health care and healing. They do this through education, training, advocacy and the creative arts.”
Mailing Address: BEAM PO Box #27945 Los Angeles, CA 90027
Email: admin.account@beam.community
“Online space dedicated to encouraging the mental wellness of Black women and girls. Offers listing of mental health professionals across the country who provide high quality, culturally competent services to Black women and girls, an informational podcast and an online support community.”
Address: 108 E. Ponce de Leon Avenue, Decatur, GA 30030
Email: info@therapyforblackgirls.com
“Connects individuals with culturally competent clinicians committed to serving the mental health needs of Black & Latinx/Hispanic communities. Promotes the growth and healing of diverse communities through its website, online directory and events.”
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800-273-8255) and the Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741741)
The Caribbean Islands
The Caribbean Institute of Mental Health and Substance Abuse (CARIMENSA)
CARIMENSA was established as a Primary Prevention Institution with the purpose of identifying, tracking, and providing information and interventions to people who are at risk of developing mental illness based on problems within their individual, familial and communal lives. They offer service in many areas, like Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Community Outreach and Interventions, Cultural Therapy, Training and Workshops.
Address: 23 Connolley Avenue Kingston, Jamaica
Telephone: (876) 620-9558 / (876) 922-3216
Email: carimensa@gmail.com
Caribbean Mental Health Consultants
Founded by Natalie Moore, a registered psychologist with a PhD in Counseling Psychology, this psychotherapy service provides “psychotherapeutic services for clients of diverse ages, cultures, ethnicities and levels of privilege” in the Warrens area.
Address: P. O. Box 5043 Warrens, St. Michael Barbados BB 28000
Telephone: 246.250.9509
Email: nataliemoore.cmhc@gmail.com
Facebook: @CaribbeanMentalHealthConsultants
The Barbados Society of Psychology
“A professional organization that aims to promote the development of, and maintain professional standards in, the discipline of Psychology.”
Telephone: +1234-1314
Email: psychologistsbarbados@gmail.com
Facebook: @TheBarbadosSocietyofPsychology
Caribbean Alliance of National Psychological Associations (CANPA)
“CANPA is the Caribbean Alliance of National Psychological Associations. Launched in 2013, it is organized to advance psychological knowledge, research, skills and practice in the service of Caribbean well-being and development, while addressing the professional interests of psychological practitioners, academics and researchers.”
Facebook: @CaribbeanAllianceofNationalPsychologyAssociations
Europe
United Kingdom
A charitable organization with a mission to connect Black individuals and families with free mental health services. They provide free 12-week courses of therapy to Black individuals in the U.K.
The Black, African and Asian Therapy Network (BAATN)
BAATN is the UK's largest community of psychotherapists and counsellors for those with Black, African, South Asian and Caribbean heritage. This organization provides free resources and services for people of minority backgrounds who are seeking help.
Email: connect@baatn.org.uk