The Black Girls Mental Health Collective Foundation: Bridging Gaps and Creating Pathways to Healing
The Black Girls Mental Health Collective Foundation (BGMHCF) was born out of a deep commitment to advancing mental health care for Black women and birthing people. While the Black Girls Mental Health Collective (BGMHC) focuses on direct therapy services, the Foundation takes a broader approach, tackling systemic barriers and advocating for culturally competent care through community programs, financial assistance, training, and education.
Our Mission
The Foundation’s mission is simple yet profound: to ensure that Black women and birthing people have access to high-quality, culturally responsive mental health care and to empower the next generation of providers who can address systemic inequities in the mental health field.
What We Do
The Foundation operates as the philanthropic and advocacy arm of BGMHC, expanding our reach and impact through several key initiatives:
1. Therapy Fund for Black Women and Birthing People
Access to therapy remains a significant challenge for many due to financial barriers. The Foundation addresses this by offering a Therapy Fund, which provides financial assistance for uninsured or underinsured women and birthing people to access therapy.
How It Works: The Therapy Fund covers therapy costs for individuals who meet our financial need criteria, ensuring that cost is never a barrier to healing.
How to Apply: Applications are open quarterly. Submit your application here.
2. Scholarships for Perinatal Mental Health Providers
Increasing the number of culturally competent providers is central to our mission. The Foundation offers scholarships to cover the costs of specialized training programs, such as those offered by Postpartum Support International (PSI).
Who Can Apply: Mental health professionals committed to working with Black women and birthing people.
Focus Areas: Training in perinatal mental health, birth trauma, and postpartum care.
Learn more and apply for scholarships here.
3. Community Programs
We believe in creating accessible spaces for education, advocacy, and connection. Our community programs include:
Support Groups: Free and virtual peer-led support groups for postpartum moms, Black mothers, and birthing people coping with loss or birth trauma.
Workshops: Topics range from managing postpartum depression to navigating systemic barriers in healthcare.
4. Advocacy for Systemic Change
We advocate for policies and practices that promote mental health equity. This includes working to:
Expand Medicaid Coverage for therapy and doula services.
Push for cultural competency training in healthcare and mental health fields.
Raise awareness of the unique mental health challenges faced by Black women and birthing people.
Why We’re Needed
Black women and birthing people face unique mental health challenges, including:
Disparities in Care: Systemic racism and bias often result in lower-quality care for Black individuals seeking mental health support.
Higher Rates of Postpartum Mental Health Conditions: Black women are more likely to experience postpartum depression and anxiety but are half as likely to receive treatment.
Cultural Stigmas: Many Black communities stigmatize mental health challenges, making it harder for individuals to seek help.
The Foundation works to close these gaps by addressing financial, educational, and systemic barriers.
How You Can Support the Foundation
We rely on the generosity of donors, partners, and community members to fulfill our mission. Here are ways you can help:
Your contributions directly support therapy funds, scholarships, and community programs. Donate here.
Sponsor a Therapy Session
Help cover the cost of therapy for someone in need.
Partner With Us
Organizations can collaborate on workshops, advocacy efforts, or fundraising initiatives.
Spread the Word
Share our mission and programs with your network to help us reach more people.
Our Vision for the Future
The Black Girls Mental Health Collective Foundation envisions a world where:
Every Black woman and birthing person has access to affordable, culturally competent mental health care.
Black mental health providers are well-represented and empowered to lead in their fields.
Systemic barriers to mental health care are eliminated.
Together, we can create lasting change that uplifts individuals, families, and communities.
Join Us in This Mission
Whether you’re a provider, advocate, donor, or someone seeking support, the Black Girls Mental Health Collective Foundation invites you to be part of this transformative work. Let’s make mental health care accessible and affirming for all.
