Holding Space: Mental Health & The Black Queer Experience
In this episode, we're holding space for the Black Queers on our path to liberation. Personally, for me, Being Black in this world is already heavy on its own....being a Woman adds another level of resistance.....being Queer compounds the already layered existence with even more complexities!
Let's talk mental health as we navigate the world around us & showing up as our full authentic selves!
********************Show Notes***********************
Below you’ll find soul-nurturing tools, support links, and grounding practices — all curated for the Black Queer Experience as we navigate anxiety, depression, and everything in between.
MENTAL HEALTH CARE (Queer + Black-Affirming)
* Therapy for Black Girls [https://therapyforblackgirls.com/] - Directory of Black women therapists + podcast and community
* Inclusive Therapists [https://www.inclusivetherapists.com/] - Filter for Black, LGBTQ+, trauma-informed care
* BEAM (Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective) [https://beam.community/]
- Free toolkits, digital healing circles, mental health resources
* The Nap Ministry [https://www.instagram.com/thenapministry/] - Rest as resistance. A sacred feed to remind you: your rest is revolutionary
SPIRITUAL + SOMATIC PRACTICES
* Moon Tracker App - Try Moonly or MyMoonPhase to sync your self-care with lunar cycles.
* Grounding Techniques PDF (Free download from me — check my IG!) - Includes breathwork, body scans, and “5-4-3-2-1” grounding for anxiety
* * YouTube for Soul-Soothing -
* Healing sound baths [https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=healing+sound+bath]
Meditation for Black women [https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=black+women+guided+meditation]
Queer-affirming yoga [https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=queer+inclusive+yoga]
RECOMMENDED READS
* Rest Is Resistance by Tricia Hersey
* * Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde
* Fighting Words - Personal Essays by Black Gay Men
* Pleasure Activism by Adrienne Maree Brown
* Redefining Realness: My Path to Womanhood, Identity, Love & So Much More by Janet Mock
* The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk (with trauma lens)
* The Queer and Transgender Resilience Workbook by Annelise Singh
JOURNAL PROMPTS
* “What does my mental health need today?”
* “Where am I allowed to fall apart?”
* “What lie am I ready to stop believing about myself?”
* “How do I want to feel by the end of this week?”