A nonprofit that provides free counseling and meetups—and is not afraid to educate and advocate for mental health in our community.
There’s a lot that can get in the way of caring for our mental health. And the barriers we face aren’t always personal.
As Black women, it can be difficult to find a provider who understands our experiences and how they shape our mental health. And we’re often left trying to navigate a system that doesn’t always see us—because it wasn’t built with us in mind.
So it’s refreshing when an organization recognizes those barriers and actively works to remove them.
The Black Women’s Mental Health Institute (BWMHI) goes beyond simply helping us care for our mental health. It’s pushing for a mental health system that cares for us better.
Here’s what you need to know about the Black Women’s Mental Health Institute.
What is the Black Women’s Mental Health Institute?
The Black Women’s Mental Health Institute is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the mental and overall well-being of Black women.
Founded by Dr. Nadia Richardson, PhD, the organization provides free counseling, free monthly meetups, and free or low-cost workshops and events for the community.
But BWMHI goes beyond individual and community support. It brings awareness to gaps in mental health diagnosis, treatment, and care for Black women.
And BWMHI doesn’t just advocate for more culturally responsive care. It works to create change by providing fellowships for mental health careers and clinician training.
How it works
There are a few ways you can tap into the Black Women’s Mental Health Institute community, depending on the type of support you’re looking for. Here’s what to expect.
Free counseling
One way to make culturally affirming care more accessible is to provide it for free. BWMHI has a free counseling program, but it’s currently only available in Alabama.
If you’re an Alabama resident and interested in free counseling, you can complete the counseling form with your contact information and therapy preferences.
If you’re outside of Alabama, you can email [email protected] or call 205-440-2837 to learn more about how BWMHI can launch free counseling in your state.
Monthly Sister Support Meetups
Each month, the Black Women’s Mental Health Institute hosts Sister Support Meetups that you can join for free. Many of them have been virtual, but some meetups are in-person in Birmingham.
The topics aren’t generic mental health information. They cover themes like loving the skin you’re in, prioritizing rest, the realities of anxiety and depression, and other conversations relevant to our community.
You can sign up for BWMHI Sister Support Meetups on their Eventbrite page.
Trainings, workshops, and community events
BWMHI also offers broader community programs focused on education, awareness, and driving change. You’ll find psychoeducation groups, interactive workshops, and trainings on topics like mental health first aid and suicide prevention.
Many of these community events are free, but some cost money to attend. For context, registration for recent paid events has been around $40 to $50.
You can view upcoming events and register on the BWMHI Eventbrite page.
What makes the Black Women’s Mental Health Institute stand out
The Black Women’s Mental Health Institute offers not just one, but several types of support for free. And for many of us, this is huge. Cost can be a major barrier to care—the difference between seeking help and staying in our struggle.
Even if you’re not in Alabama and can’t take advantage of free counseling, the virtual meetups and many of the community programs are free to attend.
And BWMHI is doing important groundwork to help build a more culturally affirming mental health industry. By educating high schoolers about mental health careers, funding a fellowship, and training clinicians, BWMHI recognizes that change often starts with those providing the care.
What to consider before signing up
Unfortunately, if you don’t live in Alabama, you’re currently unable to take advantage of one of the biggest benefits of the Black Women’s Mental Health Institute—free counseling. You can contact BWMHI about bringing free counseling to your state, but that’s likely a more long-term process.
However, regardless of where you live, you may still be able to join BWMHI’s virtual meetups, conversations, and workshops. Just be sure to confirm the format, location, and costs since these can vary by event.
Who the Black Women’s Mental Health Institute is best for
What BWMHI provides may be especially helpful if you’re in Alabama looking for free counseling and community.
But even if you’re not in Alabama, you can find free or low-cost opportunities to connect with mental health professionals and other Black women—especially if you’re simply looking to learn more about your mental health without your identity or unique experiences being an afterthought.
The Black Women’s Mental Health Institute is a powerful reminder that we’re not on this journey alone. There are organizations willing to fight with and alongside us as we learn to prioritize our well-being.
Black Women’s Mental Health Institute FAQs
Does Black Women’s Mental Health Institute offer free counseling?
Yes. The Black Women’s Mental Health Institute currently offers free counseling, but only in Alabama. If you live outside of Alabama, you can email or call BWMHI to express interest in having free counseling in your state.
Is it free to join the Black Women’s Mental Health Institute community?
There’s no membership required to get involved with the Black Women’s Mental Health Institute. And many of its events, like counseling in Alabama, monthly Sister Support Meetups, and certain community programs, are free. Not every event is free, though, so double-check the event details before you register.
How can you request free counseling in your state?
If free services currently aren’t available in your state, you can email the Black Women’s Mental Health Institute at [email protected] or call 205-440-2837. This, of course, doesn’t guarantee that free counseling will be available in your state anytime soon, but it’s a starting point.
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