Trauma, Major Depression, Anxiety, Suicide and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are all common mental health disorders that affect Black people throughout the diaspora in Columbus. According to the Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, African Americans are 20% more likely to experience serious mental health problems than the general population. Although the prevalence of these disorders is higher in the Black community, only about 25% seek treatment. Some of these reasons include stigma, lack of information on mental health, cultural and/of linguistic misunderstanding, inaccessibility of mental health services, and care inequality.

Join the Columbus African Council, Central Ohio Young Black Democrats, and other community leaders for a conversation to discuss the stigma of mental health in Black communities, how we can work to break down these barriers, and develop strategies to make mental health a priority.