(WASHINGTON, DC – July 27, 2020) – The Congressional Black Caucus held a virtual town hall discussion titled “Black Mental Health in 2020” on July 24th. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D, New Jersey), who is chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Emergency Taskforce on Black Youth Suicide and Mental Health, began the discussion on Zoom and Facebook Live by dedicating it to the memory of the late Rep. John Lewis (D, Georgia). “John Lewis was concerned about eliminating disparities between African Americans and other communities on all levels,” she said. Rep. Hank Johnson (D, Georgia) also gave remarks.
Video Recording
The wide-ranging conversation touched on trends in Black mental health, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. “If you experience mental health issues, they can affect you physically. They can weaken your immune system and relate to all kinds of health outcomes,”explained Dr. Michael A. Lindsey, Executive Director of the NYU McSilver Institute.
Among the other topics covered were the need for more Black mental health researchers and increased federal funding of mental health interventions tailored to Black people, as well as how faith communities can support Black mental health.
Participants in the town hall included:
- Dr. Theopia Jackson, President of the Association of Black Psychologists
Rev. Dr. Jamal Harrison Bryant, Pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church,
Dr. Donna Holland Barnes, CEO of DHB Wellness and Associates, LLC
Learn more about the work of the McSilver Institute’s work with the Congressional Black Caucus Emergency Taskforce on Black Youth Suicide and Mental Health.