Black Mental Health Is Focus of Two Pittsburgh Events in July

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK Black Therapy 101 aims to help break the stigma surrounding mental health issues in the Black community.  The event on July 11 — presented by Steel Smiling and Artist Talk Mental Health on the South Side — will address mental health issues and offer a variety of resources to Pittsburgh’s Black residents. A panel of five mental health professionals and advocates will lead discussions on the importance of taking steps to improve mental health and wellness.  A day before on July 10, NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania will be hosting its third annual Black Mental Health Summit — “Our Journey to Community Healing.” — in Wilkinsburg. Both hope to shine a light on ways to address mental health issues in the Black community. “Black Therapy 101 is important because we are sharing knowledge with the Black community about, what is therapy? What does it look like? What does it feel like? What types of therapy can you get?” says Sydney Davis, founder and CEO of Artist Talk Mental Health.  Davis started her organization to help artists like herself obtain mental health resources. However, finding Black therapists became a challenge. “When I was looking for a therapist, it was extremely hard...