Sign-up for The AAKOMA Project’s five free virtual therapy sessions.
This website is designed to help you get the support you need – no matter how you are feeling. If you’re looking for general support, please click the Mental Health is Health logo in the top left corner and answer the question, “How are you doing?” and you’ll be directed to helpful information and actions based on your answer.
If you are struggling emotionally and need to talk to someone, you can start by talking openly with a friend or family member, reaching out to a mental health professional or using one of the free, confidential resources provided under “SOS” in the top right corner of this website.
Disclaimer: Neither Paramount Global nor its brands or affiliates operate or provide the resources listed below.
RESOURCES FOR The Latinx Community
If you’re looking to learn more about the hidden healing traditions from the Caribbean American community and take action to support yourself and others, check these out:
1. Explore the Latinx Therapist Action Network and Therapy for Latinx directories if you are looking to find a culturally competent professional near you.
2. Listen to an episode of Latinx Therapy or Sazón y Corazón podcasts to understand the intersection of Latinx identity and mental health.
3. Access Latinx mental health resources and materials in English and Spanish on Mental Health America’s website and the National Alliance For Hispanic Health website.
4. Watch Poderistas’ second annual roundtable Salud y Poder: ¿Y Ahora Qué? Surviving, Thriving and Holding Space For Each Other to explore the specific ways members of the Latina community grapple with mental wellness and actionable tools to help manage daily stressors, like leaning into your community for strength and support.
5. Read a blog post from Latinx Talk Therapy to seek inspiration and guidance to heal from trauma, life challenges, relationships, and family issues.
6. Check out and share resources from the Healing Voices Project to support mental health in the farmworker communities.
7. Share your traditions. If you reflect on the cultural practices and traditions that have affected your healing journey, consider sharing examples on your social media accounts and tagging @MTV and @Hidden.Healers.
RESOURCES FOR THE CARIBBEAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY
If you’re looking to learn more about the hidden healing traditions from the Caribbean American community and take action to support yourself and others, check these out:
1. Access remote culturally competent mental health services through the Caribbean Equality Project, and find emotional support through their community.
2. Explore the Indo-Caribbean Mental Health Professional Directory from Brown Gyal Diary if you are looking to find a culturally sensitive professional near you.
3. Listen to this episode of The Something Else podcast that is focused on the intersection of Caribbean identity and mental health.
4. Get inspired by hearing the stories of Manolo Lopez, Abeena Hayes, Natalia M. Villarán-Quiñones, and MADDOX on the Sazón y Corazón podcast by Ayanna Kelly!
5. Read a blog post from Natalie Yvette Gutiérrez, a certified internal family systems Therapist, for inspiration to heal from trauma, life challenges, relationship, and family issues.
6. Watch a webinar from the Pan American Health Organization that covers a number of health topics, including mental health.
7. Share your traditions. If you are reflecting on the cultural practices and traditions that have affected your healing journey, consider sharing examples on your social media accounts and tagging @MTV and @Hidden.Healers.
RESOURCES FOR THE ASIAN & PACIFIC ISLANDER COMMUNITY
If you’re looking to learn more about the hidden healing traditions from the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities and take action to support yourself and others, check these out:
1. Sign-up to learn more about the Lotus Therapy Fund! If chosen for Asian Mental Health Collective’s Lotus Therapy Fund program, you will become part of a community of Asian individuals who will receive financial support for the equivalent of 8 therapy sessions. Sign-up for their newsletter to be among the first to learn about this opportunity
2. Seek Support by attending a virtual Mental Wellness Support Group through the South Asian Mental Health Initiative & Network. South Asian young adults between the ages of 18-30 can seek support twice a month over Zoom. The Subtle Asian Mental Health Facebook group is a clinician-moderated space where folks are encouraged to share their stories and lived experiences, and engage with other individuals who have faced similar hardships.
3. Attend Asian Mental Health Collective’s digital mental health landscape TransformAsian on May 6th. Register here or check out the recording on their Youtube channel!
4. Start a conversation with your family, friends, or loved ones by using these mental health photo novels from the Asian American Health Initiative.
5. Explore these therapists’ directories if you are looking to find a culturally sensitive professional near you: AMHC U.S. Therapist Directory, South Asian Therapisting.org
6. Listen to these podcasts to understand the intersection of AAPI identity and mental health: Misfortune Cookies, Beyond the Couch with Bridges, Asians Do Therapy, and Thrive Spice.
7. Watch a webinar from Project Lotus that covers a number of mental health wellness topics that are made by and for Asian Americans.
8. Share your traditions. If you are reflecting on the cultural practices and traditions that have affected your healing journey, consider sharing examples on your social media accounts and tagging @MTV and @Hidden.Healers.
RESOURCES FOR THE ARAB COMMUNITY
If you’re looking to learn more about the hidden healing traditions from Arab American communities and take action to support yourself and others, check these out:
1. Listen to a Pillars Pop-Up Conversation which highlights a diverse group of storytellers, authors, political strategists, musicians, poets, and visual artists discussing the power of music, protest, and film in the face of injustice and grief.
2. Seek Support by calling or texting the Naseeha Crisis Line at 1(866) 627-3342. Naseeha provides culturally competent and spiritually appropriate counseling to diverse populations.
3. Register for an event/workshop through the Khalil Center to learn how you can cope with anxiety, parenting, and more.
4. Start a mental health conversation with your friends and family with this Mental Health Toolkit by the Institute of Social Policy and Understanding which focuses on supporting the Muslim community.
5. Tune in to Muslim American Society’s weekly virtual Mental Health Mondays from 7-8 pm EST, and learn how you can bring resources to your community via your nearest Muslim American Society Chapter.
6. Watch Yaqeen Institute’s series on Islam & Mental Health where Dr. Rania Awaad discusses the prophetic guidance for coping with mental health challenges.
7. Understand the Arab-American experience by supporting Arab-American content creators. For example, check out the American-ish podcast by Adela Cojab and Mariam Wahba who are two first-gen Arab Americans. You can also watch Ramy on Hulu and Mo on Netflix to see incredible shows by Arab-Americans that will make you laugh, cry, and feel seen.
8. Find an event with Malikah for self-defense, healing, and financial literacy for Arab women.
9. Explore the Arab American National Museum to learn more about the history, culture, contributions, and experiences of Arab Americans. Visitors can participate in a number of events and workshops to explore Arab American literature, film, cuisine, art and more!
10. Share your traditions. If you are reflecting on the cultural practices and traditions that have affected your healing journey, consider sharing examples on your social media accounts and tagging @MTV and @Hidden.Healers.
Resources for Women
If you identify as a woman and are looking for resources to support your mental health, check these out:
1. Share your traditions. If you are reflecting on the cultural practices and traditions that have affected your healing journey, consider sharing examples on your social media accounts and tagging @MTV and @Hidden.Healers.
2. Connect with other women for conversations & daily self-care check-ins by joining the SeekHer community circle, or accessing additional resources that support women’s mental health.
3. Apply for financial support through the Loveland Therapy Fund as they provide Black women and girls with financial assistance to seek therapy.
4. Listen to an episode of the Therapy for Black Girls Podcast. The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly series about mental health, personal development, and the small decisions we find ourselves making every day.
5.Start a mental health conversation with your friends and family with help from Latinx Therapy, or tune in to the Latinx Therapy podcast here.
6. Find an event with Malikah for self-defense, healing justice, and financial literacy for Arab women and all who are working to promote a strong sisterhood community.
7.Find Local Resources at the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Use their website to access their directory of assistance providers in your state. Users can filter results by specific services and providers with experience with specific communities. Users can also explore state and territory coalitions.
Here’s a helpful app to help you grow and deepen your community of women.
Meet and make meaningful friendships through Bumble BFF to foster the importance of having a supportive and uplifting community of friends to lean on.
Resources for the Black Community
If you’re looking to learn more about the hidden healing traditions from the Black diaspora and take action to support yourself and others, check these out:
1. Sign-up for The AAKOMA Project’s five free virtual therapy sessions if you are between age 13-30 and brand new to therapy. The AAKOMA Project offers resources for Black youth mental health, workshops and tips on navigating intergenerational trauma, and programs to enrich the lives and mental well-being of all members of the Black diaspora.
2. Seek support from Black Men Heal’s online community forums like “Heal With Him” & “Gun Violence Therapy” for open dialogue, health treatment, education, and extensive resources for men of color with a range of lived experiences.
3. Connect with LGBTQ therapists and mental health professionals through the National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network to receive the support and counseling you need to flourish without limitation.
4. Utilize the Mental Health Coalition‘s Black Mental Health Guide to learn more about the implications of systemic racism on Black mental health and tips for non-Black people to learn how to be effective allies in times of mental distress.
5. Join the Silence the Shame’s community of young mental health leaders to connect with others and share experiences related to mental health, eliminate mental health stigma, and learn how to reduce health disparities and suicide rates among vulnerable populations in your community.
6. Tour Hey Auntie‘s wellness platform designed to create meaningful connections between Black women and ensure that culturally relevant mental health resources and support at home, work, and everywhere in between are accessible to all. Curated by Black women for Black people.
7. Share your traditions. If you are reflecting on the cultural practices and traditions that have affected your healing journey, consider sharing examples on your social media accounts and tagging @MTV and @Hidden.Healers
Helpful Apps for BIPOC youth:
Alkeme Health app centers the Black experience by providing culturally relevant wellness tools, content, and resources to communities and has dedicated its platform to eliminating disparities within the healthcare system for Black people across the diaspora.
Bring your conversation to life with the Something Good app, a platform dedicated to fostering community amongst BIPOC creatives, visionaries, and future changemakers using interactive voice notes.
The Shine App is a self-care and mental health app that helps you prioritize your well-being and manage stress. With daily mood tracking, personalized coaching, and hundreds of guided meditations and exercises, Shine makes it easy to prioritize self-care and build healthy habits.
Start your journey towards healing and growth with Ayana Therapy, one of the leading Black mental health and wellness platforms that provides personalized therapy and coaching to help individuals live their best lives. With the convenience of online sessions, you can access care from the comfort of your own home and on your own schedule.
Poppy Seed Health is a new and innovative approach to healthcare that puts you in control. Our platform connects you with a team of medical professionals, doulas, midwives, and other critical resources to help you manage your health and achieve your wellness goals. From personalized care plans and virtual doctor visits to fitness tracking and nutrition coaching, Poppy Seed Health has everything you need to live your healthiest life.
MH Provider Databases:
National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network
Psychology Today – Black Therapists Database
Black Virtual Wellness Directory
Resources For Native People
If you’re looking to learn more about the hidden healing traditions from the Native community and take actions to support yourself and others, check these out:
1. Reach out to the lifeline in a mental health emergency. If you or a loved one are having thoughts of suicide or find yourself in a mental health or substance use crisis, dial 988 or text NATIVE or INDIGENOUS to 741-741 for free 24/7 support.
2. Contact the Native Helpline at Strong Hearts (1-844-762-8483) to access culturally-appropriate advocacy to support you during relationship abuse. This is a 24/7 safe, confidential and anonymous domestic, dating and sexual violence hotline for Native Americans and Alaska Natives.
3. Text CARING to 65664 to receive two texts per week from We R Native with funny videos, songs, and messages designed to improve your mood and remind you of just how awesome you are! Sometimes all it takes is a thoughtful text to brighten your day and shift your perspective.
4. Explore the action hub of the Center for Native Youth to host a listening session about Native traditions and culture, provide new resources to support Native youth or nominate a future leader in the Native community.
5. Support your community with Earth Guardians – from advocacy to gardening, art projects, and trash clean up, helping your community can in-turn help you heal and grow.
6. Share your traditions. If you are reflecting on the cultural practices and traditions that have affected your healing journey, consider sharing examples on your social media accounts and tagging @MTV and @Hidden.Healers
What is the Hidden Healers Campaign?
Hidden Healers is a first-of-its-kind digital video series that elevates, uplifts and centers culturally grounded healing practices from BIPOC communities to show how healing can come from many unexpected places, including our own traditions and cultural practices.
MTV’s Hidden Healers campaign aims to empower young people from a diversity of backgrounds to embrace their own accessible and relevant hidden healing practices to help improve their mental health.
This digital series was created in partnership with four young leaders who developed and presented the idea at MTV Entertainment’s Mental Health Youth Action Forum in May 2022, which was hosted at the White House alongside actor and activist Selena Gomez, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, and U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy.
The first of these digital videos was released in November as part of Native Peoples Heritage Month. For more background on the young leaders behind this exciting new campaign, watch this video:
Meet the Young Leaders Behind the Hidden Healers
Ayanna Kelly
Ayanna Kelly, an Afro-Latina veteran and mother who is passionate about diversity, equity, inclusivity, belonging, and accessibility in company culture and HR. She uses her expertise and personal experiences to amplify mental health through her podcast, Sazón y Corazón.
Social Handles: Instagram, Twitter,
Kheira Bekkadja
Kheira Bekkadja, a Muslim Algerian American whose involvement with Our Minds Matter has informed her passion for creating safe spaces that destigmatize mental health and promote wellness.
Social Handles: Instagram
Maddox Guerilla
Maddox Guerilla, a visionary social impact consultant from the concrete jungle of NYC who embodies the idea of protopia, the idea that everyday we get to work towards the world we want to see. MADDOX is also co-creator of the first ever direct cash transfer program targeting youth experiencing homelessness.
