Councilor LaTonya Tate pledges $30,000 to Black Women’s Mental Health Institute

Councilor LaTonya A. Tate started off Women’s History Month in a big way by pledging $30,000 of American Rescue Plan Act funding to the Black Women’s Mental Health Institute.

They will be providing free counseling and mental health services in District 9. Our state ranks last in access to mental healthcare, especially for black women. The leadership at Black Women’s Mental Health Institute are working to change that by destigmatizing mental health and creating pathways for people seeking help in historically underserved communities.

The Black Women’s Mental Health Institute is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to building awareness of and support for the mental and holistic wellbeing of Black women and girls. Their work focuses on the eight dimensions of wellness, which include:

EMOTIONAL Coping effectively with life and creating satisfying relationships.

FINANCIAL Satisfaction with current and future financial situations.

SOCIAL Developing a sense of connection, belonging, and a well-developed support system.

SPIRITUAL Expanding our sense of purpose and meaning in life.

OCCUPATIONAL Personal satisfaction and enrichment derived from one’s work.

PHYSICAL Recognizing the need for physical activity, diet, sleep, and nutrition.

INTELLECTUAL Recognizing creative abilities and finding ways to expand knowledge and skills.

ENVIRONMENTAL Good health by occupying pleasant, stimulating environments that support well-being.

“The Lord really just laid it on my heart when I was sitting here listening to all these women talk about mental health and how counseling has helped transform their lives for the best,” Councilor Tate said. “A lot of people in our community have underlying trauma and I know these services can have a huge impact on the health and wellbeing of our residents.”