Black Mental Health: Changing the Narrative
Storytelling has the ability to influence individual attitudes and behavior,
as well as the collective actions that lead to policy or other institutional change.
Our aim is to de-stigmatize mental health by providing a visual
tool to empower systemic change.
The Therapeutic Play Foundation is dedicated to the wellness of our surrounding community, particularly those of African ancestry, and to changing the stigma around Black mental health. We were established by Black mental health professionals and allies who care about Black lives. To be heard is the starting point of the healing process.
Purpose of the Film
Data shows a disparity in the way services are provided to Black bodies; even COVID-19 and its impact on the Black community demonstrates this. We want to change the narrative around mental health and norms around treatment, or lack thereof. Not only is this movie addressing individual health outcomes in Black families, but also addressing the Black community’s social determinants of health and much needed systematic change. Black Mental Health: Changing the Narrative explores why Black people disproportionately suffer poor health and promote strategies to improve their overall health and well-being. This visual aid will empower action, community building, and civic engagement to de-stigmatize mental health and increase positive birth outcomes leading to healthier families in the Black community.
Community Engagement and Project Promotion
Storytelling can influence individual attitudes and behavior as well as collective actions that lead to policy or other institutional change. In interviews, we’ll capture on video the diverse identities that Black American Los Angeles residents (all service areas) hold and how it impacts service provision/census reporting. We’ll engage with mental health professionals, consumers, and stakeholders on the complex and trans-generational trauma that impacts the Black community's willingness to access and engage in mental health treatment. We’ll also interview Black mental health and medical professionals on issues they encounter in practice when working with Black clientele. High profile media, film and sports figures will also be interviewed.
Screening this documentary can have a profound impact on the discussion about mental health.
What We Need & What You Get
Your contribution to the project is needed
1) Share your story to empower others by participating in an interview for the documentary
2) Volunteer to help with the production of the documentary
3) Donate monetarily to support our efforts to de-stigmatize mental health, improve Black health outcomes, and tell our stories.
With this campaign, we are seeking to raise $15,000.00 to cover costs associated with the initial development, staffing, filming, outreach, and marketing of the documentary. Sponsorships help us to launch the screening tour and DVD creation of the film for distribution. Sales from the proceeds of the film benefit our nonprofit, The Therapeutic Play Foundation, and its associated programming. All donations are tax-deductible since we are a 501 (C) 3 and can provide a donor acknowledgment letter.
PERKS: Backers who contribute $500 or more will be featured as a sponsor in the film credits, have a guaranteed opportunity to share their story in the film, receive a Production Team t-shirt and a special thanks on social media platforms. Backers who contribute $250-$499 will be featured as a sponsor in the film credits, receive a Production Team t-shirt and a special thanks on social media platforms. Backers who contribute $100-$249 will receive a Production Team t-shirt and a special thanks on social media platforms. Backers who contribute $40-$99 will receive a Production Team t-shirt.
Risks & Challenges
We are specifically seeking to address Black populations in order to reduce disparities related to the stigma of mental health. Long term trauma in families results from recurring exposure to traumatic events/stories about persons in their family, community, or people who look like them or live around them. Thus, children can experience learned anxious behaviors that are transmitted from their parents/media/peers via stories that incite fear, anger, worry, and hopelessness.
Hypervigilant, fearful behavior often inhibits insight into self, opportunities, and growth. This results in a lack of connection and decreased self-esteem throughout the life cycle, which humans need for optimal health and functioning. We also see a disparity in resources, such as insufficient mental health coverage (not enough providers accepting clients who take their insurance) or a lack of trust in healthcare providers.
Despite all good intentions to educate, promote awareness, and encourage healing, stigma presents a significant barrier. However, we are passionate about changing the narrative in our community and inspiring action to improve mental wellness.
Why Trust Us?
The Therapeutic Play Foundation works with women, children, and their families in an effort to build community health in engaging ways. We are on the frontlines in the fight for social justice for our clients and our surrounding communities. We see many inequities in healthcare and have chosen, based on the mental health background of our founding members, to target the cycle of enduring anxiety and fear that we see can exist within Black family units long before our parenting clients became parents themselves. We seek to build awareness and to inspire increased health using the media of film making. Trust us because we care and join us because you do too.
Contribute to the cause by getting your own Production Team T!
