SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) – According to U.S. Census data, Springfield's poverty rate is more than double the national average, and studies have shown that people living in poverty are at higher risk for behavioral health issues like anxiety and depression, especially in Black and Brown communities.
Now a local Springfield nonprofit is working to solve the problem.
“It's about understanding that these illnesses affect us mentally and spiritually and that we don't have to deal with them alone,” Della Blake said.
It's no secret that living in poverty takes a serious toll on a person's mental and emotional health. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the national poverty rate is currently 11.5%. Nationwide, that number has risen about 6% in Black communities alone, to over 17%. But Springfield's poverty rate is more than double the national average, at 25.3%.
To address this issue, Springfield Partners for Community Action has partnered with the Black Behavioral Health Network to provide additional support to Black and Brown residents who are most at risk for suffering from behavioral health issues.
“We want to address the stigma and challenges around mental health that exist in the Black community because culturally, when we deal with issues like trauma and racism, we tend to just deal with it because that's how we've always done it,” Blake explained.
Della Blake is founder of the Black Behavioral Health Network and said she has seen an increased need for these services since the organization was founded in 2017.
“We have people calling us because they have a niece or nephew, or they know someone who needs support services,” Blake said. “We want to fill that gap for people who understand they need services, but aren't quite sure what to do or where to go.”
Blake told Western Mass News that poverty and debilitating mental health issues in Black communities unfortunately go hand in hand and can lead to drug addiction and homelessness, something her organization has been slow to address.
Sotto Della Braque, Founder, Black Behavioral Health Network
“We chose to call it behavioral health because mental health and substance use tend to occur together, so we offer support services to address both issues,” Blake added.
The Black Behavioral Health Network provides access to a variety of culturally appropriate community-based services focused on positive treatment outcomes.
“By creating a pathway structured curriculum that helps people get back on their feet, we can also address issues that may be impacting their mental health,” Blake said.
Blake said he is seeking the community's support to continue raising awareness for people in need of mental health and substance use counseling.
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