AUSTIN, TEXAS DECEMBER, 1, 2020 In the wake of COVID-19 and the recent movement to end racial injustices for black people, WhatsintheMirror? is offering free therapy sessions with culturally competent mental wellness providers.
WhatsintheMirror? has received funding from St. David Foundation for its Connect to Care Initiative, a program connecting communities of color, including LGBTQIA+ communities and persons living with HIV, to mental health services. Funding will cover a consultation and up to two clinical sessions for individuals impacted by COVID-19. As the organization noted in a statement, “we strive to bridge the gaps in the access to mental health services amongst black persons, LGBTQIA communities of color, and persons living with HIV/AIDS by offering culturally affirming care to underserved communities”.
According to Mental Health America, historical dehumanization, oppression, and violence against Black people has evolved into present day racism - structural, institutional, and individual – and cultivates a uniquely mistrustful and less affluent community experience, characterized by a myriad of disparities including inadequate access to and delivery of care in the health system. Processing and dealing with layers of individual trauma on top of new mass traumas from COVID-19 (uncertainty, isolation, grief from financial or human losses), police brutality and its fetishization in news media, and divisive political rhetoric adds compounding layers of complexity for individuals to responsibly manage.
Connect to Care Initiative is a part of the Art Heals Project, a healing justice movement focused on the intersectionality of mental health and HIV prevention/ Persons living with HIV/AIDS through advocacy, art and affirming care to marginalized communities. Six therapists have joined this project through a declaration of their commitment to the project’s mission and values and dedicated to serving our community.
To help sustain the initiative, WhatsintheMirror? is accepting monetary donations, volunteers, and community partnerships. We are also calling for Black mental health professionals to donate therapy hours and time. Let's do the work to make an impact on our community. To learn more visit www.whatsinthemirror.org
Email: info@whatsinthemirror.org Teneegoff@whatsinthemirror.org
Fill out application to receive funding and/or to get connected to a culturally competent mental wellness provider for FREE. This initiative is based on available funding.
On September 19th, 2019, Whatsinthmirror? received the proclamation for LGBTQIA+ Suicide Prevention Awareness Day in the City of Austin!
Congratulations to our WINNERS!!
1st Place Winner- Chronicles of the Barrio- Liza Nepa
2nd Place Winner- Veils of Justice- T. Antares
3rd Place Winner- Daniel/Danielle- William Robert Carey
Stage Reading Announcement Coming Soon
Thanks to everyone who participated.
We are in the early stages of creating the first comprehensive database of mental wellness contributors for people of color. This database will include therapists, clinicians, organizations, physical health providers, nutritionists, yoga instructors, holistic providers, public speakers, life coaches, counselors, university services, etc. ITS TIME TO CREATE THE PATHWAY TO MENTAL WELLNESS TO PEOPLE OF COLOR. Please send else detail information about your services to help navigate the community in the right direction. Email link above. Your support and contributions during this time will enable us to meet our goals of continuing to provide mental health awareness to the community. Your generous donation will fund our mission.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 1, 2019
Contact: Tarik Daniels, Executive Director/Founder
Whatsinthemirror?
(737)704-1641
“Using art and advocacy to end the stigma of mental health”
Social Movement bringing Mental Health Awareness to People of Color
AUSTIN, TEXAS-Whatsinthemirror? is a 501c3 non-profit organization and social movement that provides suicide prevention and mental health awareness through art and advocacy to people of color and low socio-economic communities. They focus on marginalized communities that includes women, LGBTQIA+, and youth.
The organization was created in Austin, Texas by Founder and Executive Director Tarik Daniels in October, 2015. “I saw a need to merge my two passions together with my background in non-profit organization and being a performing artist and writer. I truly believe that mental health is a topic and idea that has this stigma that needs to be removed. We need to enlightened our communities about the alarming numbers of suicide rates and educate on mental health and suicide prevention. It’s time to begin the conversation and do the work. Spreading love and kindness is key. We are the prevention”. Our board members include Tenee Goff, President, and Eric Edmonson, Treasurer. Current members includes Grant Loveless, Vice-President, Jarryd Goff, Audrea Belcher, Tsehynesh Namibia, and Yolanda Daniels.
Whatsinthemirror? canvasses and advocates in target neighborhoods throughout East Austin. It has participated in Million Man March Rally at Givens Park, Juneteenth Health Fair. First Saturdays at The George Washington Carver Museum 2016-present , Sundays in the Park at Givens Park, Suicide Prevention Workshop at THE Q AUSTIN,NAMI Walk 2016,2017, 12th Street Return and Discover Fair, Children's Mental Health Day 2016-2019, Gender Revolution 2017-2019, Austin Urban Health Fest 2017, 2018, and countless other events to promote awareness. The Counseling Session (play)was our first big project as an organization with an attendance over 400 people during a six show run. It was a sponsored project of the City of Austin Cultural Arts Division and Austin Creative Alliance. Other sponsors included Austin Black Pride, Capitol View Arts, Rain Nightclub, and Proyecto Teatro. In addition, it has produce the plays, Rose University in 2017 and Sukey, The Mermaid, And the Gullah Island in 2018. Future projects includes our 3rd Annual A Night of Love, coming in October 2018. We create targeted programming and collaborate with mental health clinicians throughout Central Texas that includes support groups, one on one sessions, peer groups, etc.
Whatsinthemirror? is proudly a part of the Texas Association of Nonprofit Organizations and Greater Austin of Black Chamber of Commerce.
As an organization we are always seeking funding and assistance in continuing to make our mission a reality. If any organizations or community member would like to get involved or partner as well as donate with us please contact us via email, whatsinthemirror.org@gmail.com or through our website, www.whatsinthemirror.org or any of social media platforms at Facebook, Twitter, and
