Be The Change H
Donation protected
Be The Change Health is raising funds to:
Drive awareness of both the lasting effects of racial trauma on our communities and the power of mental health care to address that trauma. We are doing so through our Instagram account bethechangeh
Enable no-cost, no-stigma access to professional mental health care for Black communities. Through our website , individuals who are seeking care will be able to search and select from a range of practitioners, while maintaining their privacy and confidentiality.
Pay-fair wages to Black therapists to provide therapy sessions to 300 people and therapeutic workshops to those most in need in Black communities. Providing care, particularly in the midst of ongoing trauma, is critical work, and it deserves adequate compensation.
Pay-fair wages to Black therapists because the lack of Therapists of Color is real
Only about Four percent of mental health professionals in the United States are Black; the figures are similar for Asian and Hispanic/Latino professionals.
Mental health is one of many areas of medicine that has a long history of negatively affecting and downright misperceiving people who look like me. Research suggests that Black Americans are substantially more likely to be diagnosed as schizophrenic compared with white people. Recent studies have found that Black people may express depression differently than other populations and that diagnostic methods should be made with cultural differences in mind.
This spring, a strange sort of awakening was ignited in the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic. This awakening was luminous terrible yet tinged with hope. As the virus claimed hundreds of thousands of lives around the world, a bright light was being shone on the terrible disparity that exists among human beings.
When George Floyd was murdered, that light exploded, and that light, shining into corners that had been hidden in the dark for too long, revealed so many truths. It stirred, in many of us, a desire to take action. We could no longer ignore inequality. We could no longer ignore rampant racism. We could no longer ignore the hate.
Today, more so than ever before, people of all backgrounds are beginning to truly understand the harmful effects of structural racism in this country. The recent acts of violence and hate committed against our Black community the stolen lives of George Floyd, Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice, Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Philando Castile, Breonna Taylor, and many others all grow from a common seed that has deep roots in “the land of the free”: structural racism.
Although it happened [3] years ago, I remember my first experience being racially profiled as if it were yesterday.
For many of us who have experienced racism and racial violence first-hand, the killing of George Floyd was like a psychological punch that knocked us right back into a moment of personal trauma. That’s what happened to me. Seeing what happened to George Floyd made me sick,sad, scared, angry, afraid, and then re-traumatized by the searing memory of what had happened to me.
It is abundantly clear, given the long history of this oppressive trauma, that we must begin to seek a path of healing for our Black community.
Mental health must become a top priority in the fight for equity and justice for Black communities everywhere.
It’s time for us to feel the light of truth shining on our faces to wake up and transform hate into love.
If you have like-minded friends, family members, and colleagues, please share us with your network. Every little bit helps.
If you know someone in the Black community who is suffering from racial trauma, or who would benefit from access to mental health services, please connect them with our website so that they can seek no-cost, no-stigma care.
If you know a mental-health caregiver who has experience dealing with racial trauma, please connect them with our coordinator. We are looking to expand our roster of partner therapists, nation-wide.
Thank you!
We are in a state of emergency for the well-being of Black people. Your support will help us bridge the tremendous mental-health resource gaps that, for too long, have been pervasive in the Black community.
Thank you for joining us to take a stand for humanity, solidarity, and justice, and a step toward ending racism for a better future. Thank you for speaking up, for giving our movement a voice, and for being the change for the youth of color. Your support will play an important role in defending and empowering Black lives, and in bringing healing to our wounded world.
Black Lives Matter.
Black Youth Matter.
Black Women Matter.
Black Men Matter.
Black Queer/Nonbinary/Trans Matter.
Black Families Matter.
Black Futures Matter.
Black Healing Matters.
Black Mental Health Matters.
Drive awareness of both the lasting effects of racial trauma on our communities and the power of mental health care to address that trauma. We are doing so through our Instagram account bethechangeh
Enable no-cost, no-stigma access to professional mental health care for Black communities. Through our website , individuals who are seeking care will be able to search and select from a range of practitioners, while maintaining their privacy and confidentiality.
Pay-fair wages to Black therapists to provide therapy sessions to 300 people and therapeutic workshops to those most in need in Black communities. Providing care, particularly in the midst of ongoing trauma, is critical work, and it deserves adequate compensation.
Pay-fair wages to Black therapists because the lack of Therapists of Color is real
Only about Four percent of mental health professionals in the United States are Black; the figures are similar for Asian and Hispanic/Latino professionals.
Mental health is one of many areas of medicine that has a long history of negatively affecting and downright misperceiving people who look like me. Research suggests that Black Americans are substantially more likely to be diagnosed as schizophrenic compared with white people. Recent studies have found that Black people may express depression differently than other populations and that diagnostic methods should be made with cultural differences in mind.
This spring, a strange sort of awakening was ignited in the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic. This awakening was luminous terrible yet tinged with hope. As the virus claimed hundreds of thousands of lives around the world, a bright light was being shone on the terrible disparity that exists among human beings.
When George Floyd was murdered, that light exploded, and that light, shining into corners that had been hidden in the dark for too long, revealed so many truths. It stirred, in many of us, a desire to take action. We could no longer ignore inequality. We could no longer ignore rampant racism. We could no longer ignore the hate.
Today, more so than ever before, people of all backgrounds are beginning to truly understand the harmful effects of structural racism in this country. The recent acts of violence and hate committed against our Black community the stolen lives of George Floyd, Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice, Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Philando Castile, Breonna Taylor, and many others all grow from a common seed that has deep roots in “the land of the free”: structural racism.
Although it happened [3] years ago, I remember my first experience being racially profiled as if it were yesterday.
For many of us who have experienced racism and racial violence first-hand, the killing of George Floyd was like a psychological punch that knocked us right back into a moment of personal trauma. That’s what happened to me. Seeing what happened to George Floyd made me sick,sad, scared, angry, afraid, and then re-traumatized by the searing memory of what had happened to me.
It is abundantly clear, given the long history of this oppressive trauma, that we must begin to seek a path of healing for our Black community.
Mental health must become a top priority in the fight for equity and justice for Black communities everywhere.
It’s time for us to feel the light of truth shining on our faces to wake up and transform hate into love.
Because love does not stand idly by.
Love isn’t passive.
Love is passionate. Love leaps into action to save lives. Love empowers us to “be the change that we want to see in this world.”
In the spirit of love, I am launching this project as a way to do just that by addressing the impact of racial trauma on the mental health of Black communities, and through making mental-health services widely accessible to Black and Indigenous People of Color.
Finding the right therapist is not a privilege but a right.
The lack of diversity among mental health care providers furthers stereotypes, makes trust more challenging, and leaves many of us feeling alienated.
What can you do?
In the spirit of love, I am launching this project as a way to do just that by addressing the impact of racial trauma on the mental health of Black communities, and through making mental-health services widely accessible to Black and Indigenous People of Color.
Finding the right therapist is not a privilege but a right.
The lack of diversity among mental health care providers furthers stereotypes, makes trust more challenging, and leaves many of us feeling alienated.
What can you do?
The mission of Be the Change is to expand access to mental health services for Black and Indigenous People of Color. The long-term, harmful impact of racism and racial trauma on the mental well-being of Black people is real and can no longer be ignored. There is a tremendous need in our Black communities for mental-health support, and our goal is to expand the scope of our work continuously.
To make all of this happen, we need the help of generous individuals and organizations willing to fuel our work through donations. We invite you to join us by donating any amount that is sustainable for you in support of this campaign.
One-time $20 donation
Your community will get: 15 minutes of mental health care
You will get Our gratitude!
One-time $40 donation
Your community will get: 30 minutes of mental health care
You will get: A custom-designed card to express Our gratitude
One-time $80 donation
Your community will get: 60 minutes of mental health care
You will get: A custom-designed digital card to express Our gratitude
One-time $120 donation
Your community will get: 90 minutes of mental health care
You will get: A custom-designed Card, and a pin, to wear in support of the cause
One-time $400 donation
Your community will get: 5 full hours of mental health care
You will get: A custom-designed Card, T-shirt and a pin, to wear in support of the cause
Our powerful custom designs were created by talented volunteers and have been donated in support of the cause. But we only have a limited amount of these symbolic wearables.
What are other ways to support the cause?
If you can't afford to donate at this time, you can still support theBe the Change project.
To make all of this happen, we need the help of generous individuals and organizations willing to fuel our work through donations. We invite you to join us by donating any amount that is sustainable for you in support of this campaign.
One-time $20 donation
Your community will get: 15 minutes of mental health care
You will get Our gratitude!
One-time $40 donation
Your community will get: 30 minutes of mental health care
You will get: A custom-designed card to express Our gratitude
One-time $80 donation
Your community will get: 60 minutes of mental health care
You will get: A custom-designed digital card to express Our gratitude
One-time $120 donation
Your community will get: 90 minutes of mental health care
You will get: A custom-designed Card, and a pin, to wear in support of the cause
One-time $400 donation
Your community will get: 5 full hours of mental health care
You will get: A custom-designed Card, T-shirt and a pin, to wear in support of the cause
Our powerful custom designs were created by talented volunteers and have been donated in support of the cause. But we only have a limited amount of these symbolic wearables.
What are other ways to support the cause?
If you can't afford to donate at this time, you can still support theBe the Change project.
If you have like-minded friends, family members, and colleagues, please share us with your network. Every little bit helps.
If you know someone in the Black community who is suffering from racial trauma, or who would benefit from access to mental health services, please connect them with our website so that they can seek no-cost, no-stigma care.
If you know a mental-health caregiver who has experience dealing with racial trauma, please connect them with our coordinator. We are looking to expand our roster of partner therapists, nation-wide.
Thank you!
We are in a state of emergency for the well-being of Black people. Your support will help us bridge the tremendous mental-health resource gaps that, for too long, have been pervasive in the Black community.
Thank you for joining us to take a stand for humanity, solidarity, and justice, and a step toward ending racism for a better future. Thank you for speaking up, for giving our movement a voice, and for being the change for the youth of color. Your support will play an important role in defending and empowering Black lives, and in bringing healing to our wounded world.
Black Lives Matter.
Black Youth Matter.
Black Women Matter.
Black Men Matter.
Black Queer/Nonbinary/Trans Matter.
Black Families Matter.
Black Futures Matter.
Black Healing Matters.
Black Mental Health Matters.
Organizer
Victorin Areno
Organizer
Castro Valley, CA