An Inside Look at the 4th Annual Black Mental Health Symposium
Opening session starts at 9:00am. Grab your program schedule, name tag, and tote bag.
Don’t forget to stop at the wellness vendor tables and snatch some goodies. Take your seat in the ballroom.
Get ready to engage with over 400 hundred Black Mental Health Therapists and Clinicians on a two-day journey that will leave you feeling empowered.
The 4th Annual Black Mental Health Symposium “Affirm | Awake | Arise” equips mental health professionals with culturally-specific interventions to improve outcomes in Black communities.
The mission is to decrease stigma, increase access to care, and improve mental health outcomes. Founded in 2016 by Dr. LaTonya M. Summers, this culturally specific symposium birthed from her passion and vision to make a true impact in our Black community.
Every year you’ll hear from clinicians who attended about the valuable knowledge gained from networking, attending breakout sessions, and hearing dynamic key note speakers.
Shenell Henry, social worker in Mecklenburg county shared, “I enjoy seeing us all together! We are truly amazing. To see all of us taking care of ourselves and our mental health is so important.” Shenell went on to say:
“There’s freedom in getting what you need at this Symposium and leaving with valuable information to use with clients.”
This year’s symposium allowed clinicians from across the nation to come together and learn about best practices, methodologies, and clinical interventions to help make our Black community well.
Carla Eugene, Licensed Professional Counselor, traveled from the Ohio State University for the third year. Carla said, “I found myself being able to explore and gain knowledge on topics that I put on the shelf and have not made time to further investigate..”
Carla also shared, “I learned a few interventions I want to use with my clients and I made intentional connections to collaborate with other clinicians.”
Flash back to last year, Carla presented on the topic of Shifting among Black women in the workplace, and was motivated to return this year to keep the conversation going.
Key note speaker, Dr. King Davis, also returned this year leaving an impact on attendees. He delivered his key note speech on the final day of the symposium. Dr. Davis’ spoke about the “Central Lunatic Asylum for the Colored Insane,” an in-depth research on the first institution that focused on mental health issues among Black individuals in Virginia.
Additionally, there were 48+ Breakout sessions, with eye catching titles such as:
- “Triggered”: Interactions with law enforcement and the effects on Black women. “Young, Gifted, and Black and dealing with Anxiety and depression”
- “And who’s watching our boys? Creating safe, supportive, and culturally appropriate mental health services for Black boys”
- “Our Hair-itage Legacy: Using Participatory action research to create a path of resolution and mental wellness for African American women with natural hair in a professional setting.
- “Post-traumatic Slave Syndrome- Healing the Legacy of historical trauma”
- “Bood up: Psychosexual theory and African American relationships”
That’s only naming a few! Don’t forget about trap yoga, live Soca dancing, a book club discussion, and student poster presentations throughout the day.
Feeling like you missed out on a great opportunity to attend this year? You did!
The symposium offered so much practical knowledge for Black therapists and next year will be even better. I know I am excited to continue learning about effecting change and mental wellness within our Black spaces and communities!