Five online resources to follow for BIPOC mental health
Written by Catriona Mahmoud
Welcome to July. Yes we’re already 7 months into 2020 and what do we have to show for it? We’re constantly reminded that it’s ok to have spent the entire 3 month solitude not having achieved anything. It’s ok if you haven’t written a book, or lost 10kg (we’re all discovering Chloe Ting is essentially a liar at this point).
We have been focusing on wellness and mental health though, not something we’ve all been able to comfortably solve, but it’s something we’ve been thinking about. The stigma around mental health is still prevalent, no matter how many articles or public figures speak about it. We may be surrounded by the topic of mental health but thoroughly struggling to discuss it.
July 2020 marks the 12th BIPOC Mental Health Month - a 31 day period dedicated solely to the discussion and marking of awareness towards the unique struggles faced by underrepresented groups.
The internet is embracing this with open arms, with information, support and advice being broadcast and shared widely, encouraging those who are least likely to receive help to attempt to heal and concentrate on their own wellbeing.
Here are five online accounts, influences and producers of resources that can help and be a guiding light when you need it the most.
@BrownGirlTherapy
A great mental health resource in particular for children of immigrants. @browngirltherapy explores the traumatic impact that multi-culturally experienced individuals may face, in particular relation to their experience at home, compared to the often very different experience they encounter in the workplace and amongst outside groups. She reminds people that the pressures and guilt your parents place on you should not define you, and standing up for oneself can be the most liberating experience possible.
@CystersGroup
An essential guide for mental health and reproductive education for marginalised groups, @cystersgroup is an Instagram account that attempts to tack period poverty while simultaneously educating on the reproductive system, a topic often shied away from in BIPOC communities.
@BrainBodyDoc
An account that observes and attempts to offer guidance through various situations and scenarios that are specific to BIPOC communities, such as historical trauma, identity and learning how to communicate feelings. @brainbodydoc is an excellent resource from a qualified psychologist that teaches you methods of self acceptance as well as coping mechanisms for specific pain psychologies.
@TheRosieNutritionist
An account that observes and advices on mental health and food, @therosienutritionist offers nutritional advice on developing healthy outlooks on how food can help and stimulate our mental health, as well as understanding the traumas and reasoning behind unhealthy relationships with food.
She also explores the racist implications forced onto food, in particular who decides which food is considered good and bad, and how ethnic cuisines are often devalued as healthy sources of nutrition.
@TherapyToATeaCo
A stunning account that provides accessible and democratised concepts for self-care and wellness, without the usual exploitation that the wellness industry tends to enforce on those suffering with mental health. @therapytoateaco deconstructs concepts of popular wellness and in place observes methods of ensuring you take care of yourself through reminding its followers of the value of something as simple as taking the time to drink a cup of tea - something we stan very much!