BIPOC Resources

Even with culturally relevant services and support it may take time to find what works for you or your child(ren). Nevertheless, with research and the resources provided, you can get the care that is needed.

Starting therapy with someone new may feel extremely awkward at first for children and their families. Be patient with yourself and your child. It is okay to ask the therapists as many questions as you or your child needs to feel comfortable and supported. If you are not sure what questions are important to ask when looking for a good mental health professional, do not worry.

If you find a therapist you think is a great match, but you don’t have insurance or they don’t take your insurance, ask about what financial options are available. Some therapists offer income-based or sliding scales to help with cost. Here are a few tips for help making therapy accessible and affordable.

Also, if you or your child(ren) are currently uninsured or under-insured, Public Health’s Community Health Access Program (CHAP) navigators can help connect you to free or low-cost health insurance options.

Community Resources on Mental Health and Counseling

• NAMI (National Institute on Mental Illness) Seattle (BIPOC Mental Health Resources in Seattle)
• National Alliance on Mental Alliance (NAMI) Eastside
• Washington Counselors of Color (Counselor listing by ethnicity, language, and religion)
• Melanin and Mental Health (Therapist finder, podcast, and more) 
• Mental Health Support Group for People of Color
• Providence Health Grief Support for People with I/DD
• Sound Mental Health
• Washington Therapy Fund for Black People
• Asian Counseling and Referral Services (ACRS)
• Behavioral Health Ombuds for King County
• Child and Adolescent Latino Mental Health Assessment and Treatment (CALMA) Clinic
• Community Psychiatric Clinic Housing Program
• Developing Minds
• Jewish Family Services Case Management
• Navos Mental Health and Counseling
• Therapeutic Health Services
• Valley Cities Behavioral Health Care: Developmental Disability Services
• Washington Autism Advocacy & Alliance (WAAA) Resource Directory
• National Association of Mental Illness provides resources and free support groups for individuals and families affected by mental illness. Local chapters, including Seattle, provide groups specifically designed for Black and Indigenous participants.
• National Queer and Trans Therapist of Color Network (“Interactive digital resource that helps QTPoC locate QTPoC mental health practitioners across the country.”) 
• The 4C Mentor Program provides mentors to 125 youths annually in King County. These are typically youths involved in King County Superior Court and young people referred to us by the Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative.  We also partner with the Seattle CARES Mentoring Movement.
• Friends of the Children – Home | Friends Of The Children –Salaried professional mentors are matched with children over the course of 12+ years, from kindergarten through high school graduation.

Online Resources for Mental Health and Self-Care

• Resources for Black Healing compiled by Micalah Webster, MSW, MHSA
• Therapy for Black Girls (Therapist finder, blog, podcast, and more) 
• Therapy for Black Men (Therapist finder, blog, resources, and more) 
• Call Black Line (“Helping the most-impacted folks through crisis, abuse, and mistreatment”) 
• Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (“NPAIHB or the Board is a non-profit tribal advisory organization serving the forty-three federally recognized tribes of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.”) 
• Seattle Indian Health Board (“Is a community health center that provides health and human services to its patients, while specializing in the care of Native people.”) 
• Asian Mental Health Project (Blog, resources) 
• South Asian Mental Health Initiative and Network (Resources, blog) 
• Latinx Therapy (Therapist finder, resources, blog) 
• Encouraging Meaningful Conversations about Race and Trauma (“Jenée Johnson is developing a new way to talk about trauma, race and bias.”) 
• Dr. Joy DeGruy (Renowned researcher post traumatic slave syndrome and black adolescent male respect) 
• Free eCourse on Racialized Trauma (Cultural Somatic Training & Institute) 
• Strength Over Silence: Stories of Courage, Culture, and Community (Black and Latinx mental health from NAMI)
• University of Georgia’s Department of Psychology Racial Trauma Guide (Resources for those impacted and allies/accomplices) 
• Emotional and Mental Health CollectivBlack e (“We are a collective of advocates, yoga teachers, artists, therapists, lawyers, religious leaders, teachers, psychologists and activists committed to the emotional/mental health and healing of Black communities.”) 
• Try Liberate a BIPOC by and for meditation app. 
• This free toolkit from the Community Healing Network and the Association of Black Psychologists guides you through healing in the face of cultural trauma.
• 44 Mental Health Resources for Black People Trying to Survive in This Country because Black lives, Black bodies, and Black minds matter.
• The Safe Place is a free app offering mental health resources and self-care tips for the Black Community.
• This article on Racism and Violence: How to Help Kids Handle the News helps adults support kids during this time.

Local Spaces for Community Connection, and Healing

Africatown/Umoja PEACE Center Umoja PEACE Center fulfills the need in Seattle to build job skills, confidence and cultural pride in young people of African descent. The group aims to provide programs to reduce anti-social behavior, juvenile delinquency, crime, and violence.

Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County is a grassroots, volunteer-run, social-justice nonprofit organization focused on the empowerment and liberation of Blacks and other people of color through advocacy and direct action.

Seattle and King County NAACP: The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People works to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination. Current programs include virtual book clubs and other online gatherings.

Eritrean Association in Greater Seattle was organized by immigrants who volunteered to establish a diasporic community that would preserve their cultural heritage. Their effort to build a strong communal landmark continues to enrich the pan-cultural experience in the Pacific Northwest.

Ethiopian Community of Seattle aims to facilitate a seamless integration of all persons of Ethiopian origin into the American society. ECS contribute to the social, cultural and civic life of the Puget Sound area as well as to assist Ethiopians and Ethiopian-Americans in preserving and sharing their ancient and rich cultural heritage. Programs include cooking classes and senior meals services.

Somali Community of Seattle works for the success of refugees to undergo a smooth transitional process and attain self-sustainable status in their new country. Programs include youth safety workshops and theater programs and elderly nutrition programs.

Urban League of Seattle was established in 1930 to become one of approximately 90 affiliates of the National Urban League. Today, ULMS implements its mission within our Seattle/King County service area through advocacy, direct programming, community outreach, and coalition building. Current offerings include home buying and credit-building classes.

Juneteenth Week 2020: Attend a week-long online celebration of Black American history and culture with Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County and FW Black Collective. The kid-friendly events include a virtual watch party of the 2016 documentary13th, guided meditations, DJ sets, a food-related event with James Beard Award-winning Chef Edouardo Jordan, raffles, and more. June 15 to 21.

Podcast

Listen to Krista Tippett, host of the podcast On Being, talk with Resmaa Menakem, a trauma therapist, Cultural Somatics and the importance of our bodies in processing trauma.

Listen to Lama Rod Owen and BJSTARR when they “discussed ways in which anger pierces through to the truth of our reality, acting as a mirror, source of clarity, and catalyst for change. We also talked about how to consume anger rather than letting it consume us; Black rage; and the loving care we must also offer the wounds beneath it.” 

Self-care and Collective-Care Tips

Self-care is the act of attending to one’s own needs. Collective-care, or community-care, is the act of supporting others in meeting their needs and asking others to support you in meeting yours, building upon the notion that we are stronger together than we are apart. Both are important aspects of reducing stress and increasing resiliency.

Examples include:

• Reaching out to friends and/or family
• Ensuring you are nourished and hydrated
• Resting
• Attending virtual church, mosque, or temple
• Practicing spirituality
• Meditating alone or with an online group
• Participating in protests, marches, and/or demonstrations
• Speaking with your current mental health providers
• Engaging in physical activity
• Dancing or singing
• Setting boundaries and taking alone time
• Making space for any act that relieves your stress and improves your resiliency