From History to Healing: Why Black Mental Health Deserves Attention
By: Shadena Natty
Black History Month is a time to honor the resilience, contributions, and achievements of Black communities. It is also an opportunity to reflect on struggles and systemic inequities that continue to affect Black lives, including mental health. As a Black therapist, I have seen how Black mental health is often overlooked or misunderstood, even though it deserves the same care, support, and attention as physical health.
Carter G. Woodson, the founder of Negro History Week in 1926 (which eventually became Black History Month), understood the power of honoring history. Highlighting Black Americans’ achievements not only corrected omissions in schools and society but also empowered communities. Remembering the past helps us build a more equitable and informed present, and this includes acknowledging the psychological impact of systemic oppression.
Accessing mental health care remains challenging for Black communities due to systemic and cultural barriers, underrepresentation in the field, and a lack of culturally responsive care. Black History Month reminds us why representation matters. Pioneers like Drs. Mamie and Kenneth Clark, whose research informed civil rights efforts, and Frantz Fanon, who explored colonial oppression and mental health, paved the way for healing in historically underserved communities.
Representation in therapy can be transformative. Growing up, I rarely saw helping professionals who looked like me or understood my experiences. That inspired me to create Shadena Natty Counseling, a space where anyone, regardless of race, gender, or religion, can feel safe, seen, and heard. Seeing yourself reflected in therapy helps you feel understood, validated, and empowered to seek support.
Honoring Black History Month in counseling means celebrating resilience, amplifying overlooked voices, and acknowledging how historical trauma and systemic barriers affect mental health. Supporting mental health strengthens individuals, families, communities, and future generations, continuing the legacy of empowerment that Black History Month began.
