We’ve been on this journey together, shedding light on the hard truths and hopeful changes in mental health. It’s time to wrap things up, and the question is: Can we trust what the numbers are telling us about Black mental health disparities in our own home, Denver?
By the Stats: Where Denver Fails Black Minds
It’s not always comfy to look at the data, but here’s the deal:
- Lack of Black therapists in Denver We need more providers who look like us and understand our unique experiences. Just a handful of percentages compared to our population shows something is very wrong here.
- Higher rates of serious mental illness diagnoses among Black residents of Denver. Are we getting misdiagnosed, or is there a greater root cause no one is paying enough attention to?
- Lack of accessibility in culturally relevant therapy options here in Denver. Can someone afford and feel understood going to the first option on a list instead of getting someone that really gets them?
Roundup & Real Talk: Pulling It All Together
Over these posts, we’ve spoken about mental health stigmas, the value of community, how reaching for help is truly brave, and where systems are broken. This isn’t about laying blame. It’s about a wake-up call that sparks change.
Here’s my challenge to you, straight and Denver-strong:
“We gotta question everything… those stats, the reasons why people close to us suffer alone, why asking for help seems impossible. That’s how we become the fix for our people, by knowing this ain’t right.”
Change doesn’t start with big headlines, it starts with you and your circle of friends. Talk about this. Hold Denver accountable. Question things. Push for a better future. We get that future by working hard for it.
Let me know your thoughts!
