Learn About Mental Health
What is Mental Health?
Mental health is a big part of our overall wellness as individuals and as a community. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological and social well being. It affects how we think, feel, and act.
How Are You Feeling?
Not Feeling
Like “Myself”
Sometimes it’s hard to find words to describe how you’re actually doing… but you know that you don’t feel like yourself. This feeling can sometimes last for a while, and make it hard to do things you need to do, like go to school or work.
Feeling Sad
(Depressed)
Everyone feels sad at some point. Although sometimes, that sadness can last for a long time and makes it hard to go to school or work. It might also make you not want to do things you used to enjoy doing.
Feeling Angry
Do you sometimes feel really angry or irritated but you’re not sure why? Sometimes it might even mean you lash out against people who care about you.
Feeling Like You Need Alcohol or Drugs to Cope
Have you been using alcohol or drugs more often than you want to, maybe to cope with how you’re feeling? Sometimes it can make it hard to go to school or work, and the people around you may have mentioned that they are worried about you.
If you’d like to talk to someone, you can connect with our Mental Health & Substance Use Program or learn about other resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are experiencing mental health and/or substance use challenges, identify as African, Caribbean, and/or Black, and are between the ages of 12-29, then you may be eligible for this program! The best way to find out is to directly contact the program site closest to you and to ask. This information is listed on our Programs and Services page or our Contact Us page.
AMANI’s programs and services are free! This includes programs such as our Mental Health and Substance Use Program, which you can learn more about here.
Mental health and wellbeing looks different for everyone, but one way to care for your mental health is to think about holistic needs. This means reflecting on your feelings, your social life, and even your physical health, as all of these can impact your mental health.
Below are some ways to care for your mental health in these areas:
Feelings
- Reflect: Identify which emotion(s) you are feeling and put words to those feelings. One way of doing this is using an Emotion wheel like the one on Calm.com, starting in the middle and moving outwards.
- Journal: Some people enjoy getting their thoughts and feelings on paper as it can clear the mind. It can also allow for you to track changes in how you are feeling depending on how often you are journaling.
Social Life
- Identify your go-to people: Think about the people in your life who you can trust to talk to about your mental health. When we don’t feel happy, sometimes we feel the need to isolate ourselves from others because it can be exhausting putting up a front. By having family and friends you trust, they are people you can be real with and talk to about where you are at.
Physical Health
- Move your body: Exercising, whether it be dancing, walking, running, or playing basketball, has been shown to release happy hormones called “endorphins.” Not only does this make us feel happy, but in the long-term, exercise can also provide a space to connect with others and reflect.
Every child and youth is different so what may work for some may not work for others. However, the following can be helpful to start:
- Create a safe space to talk to your children. A safe space is non-judgemental and seeks to understand without jumping to conclusions or rushing to discipline.
- Talk with your children regularly about mental health to normalize those conversations. This may include sharing examples of a time when you have felt negative emotions such as stress. However, this space should still remain about them instead of becoming entirely about you.
- If your child expresses mental health and/or substance use challenges or concerns, consider seeking therapist and community programming intended for Black youth, if available. This increases the chance that these services are culturally responsive to Black youth needs. If interested, you can also learn more about AMANI’s Mental Health & Substance Use Program and whether this would be a good fit for your child.
If you are in crisis or in need of immediate mental health support, call 911, visit your nearest Emergency Department, or contact the following helplines: