Black History Month
In honor of Black History Month, FEAP is excited to engage in the celebration by providing a range of resources. From educational materials to music to brighten your day, explore our page dedicated to recognizing the history, culture, health, and well-being of Black Americans and members of the UVA/Charlottesville Community. Join us in this celebration of Black History—an important history that enriches us all.
FEAP understands the significance of recognizing the historical context of systemic racism especially within the mental health system and emphasizes its relevance not only during Black History Month but throughout the entire year. Recognizing and comprehending its impact on Black communities in the US and globally is vital for improving overall societal well-being.
In observance of Black History Month, FEAP is highlighting and spotlighting the often-overlooked contributions of Black and African American individuals to the mental health movement and giving educational and support resources related to mental health, Black history, and the lived experience of Black people in the section below.
The Central State Hospital Digital Library & Archives Project
Founded in 1870 in Petersburg, Virginia, Central State Hospital (CSH) – formerly Central State Lunatic Asylum for Colored Insane – was the first mental health care facility for African Americans in the country. The collection contains over 100 years of records related to the historic institution; these are the most complete archival records of blacks and mental illness in the United States. Items include board minutes, annual reports, procedural manuals, financial reports, patient registers, photos, newsletters, and monographs.
The 1840 U.S. Census Was Overly Interested in Americans’ Mental Health
This article delves into the historical evolution of the U.S. census’s approach to mental health inquiries, highlighting shifts from asking about “idiots” and “insane” individuals in the 1840 census to later adopting terms like “defective of mind.” The census reflected societal attitudes, influencing the establishment of asylums and contributing to eugenic ideologies, ultimately leading to a cessation of mental health inquiries on the national census in 1900. The narrative underscores the intersection of scientific, social, and institutional dynamics shaping perceptions of mental health over time.
Click to Listen to the Podcast
The Historical Roots of Racial Disparities in the Mental Health System
This article explores pervasive racial disparities within the mental health system, emphasizing the historical context that shaped these inequities. Research underscores how Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) face obstacles such as limited access to mental health services and misdiagnoses. The piece delves into the historical roots of systemic racism in mental health, shedding light on how biased narratives have influenced diagnoses, treatment, and the overrepresentation of BIPOC in prisons. The analysis challenges conventional interventions, proposing a broader understanding of the system itself to address persisting racial disparities.
The Legacy of “Deinstitutionalization”
In this article, Shivani Nishar, Health & Justice Fellow at the Center for Prisoner Health and Human Rights, sheds light on the alarming intersection of race, disability, and incarceration. Examining historical roots, she exposes the systemic pathologization and criminalization of Black individuals, illustrating how racial biases in diagnosis perpetuate a cycle of institutionalization, particularly affecting Black children. Nishar calls for a reevaluation of the treatment of mentally ill communities, urging a shift towards non-carceral, compassionate care.
Black History Month: A time to Understand the Past and Create a Brighter Future
Helping your kids acknowledge and embrace the rich history of Black people can be a powerful step towards broadening their understanding of themselves, their environment, and the people around them.
Inez Beverly Prosser, Ph.D.
Inez Beverly Prosser is considered the first Black woman to get a Ph.D. in psychology. She studied how racial inequality and racism affect Black kids’ identity and mental health in different types of schools. Her research and ideas played a role in starting conversations about integrating students from diverse backgrounds in American schools.
Francis Cecil Sumner, Ph.D.
A founding member of the Howard University Psychology Department, Francis Cecil Sumner is often called “the Father of Black Psychology” because he was the first Black man to earn a Ph.D. in psychology. He joined Clark University’s psychology program but had to pause his studies to serve in World War I. After coming back, Dr. Sumner went back to school and completed his dissertation. Dr. Sumner faced challenges getting his research published because of racism against black people, but he kept trying, eventually publishing several articles.
Solomon Carter Fuller, M.D.
Dr. Solomon Carter Fuller was an important African American doctor who studied Alzheimer’s disease. His father, who was enslaved in America, bought his freedom and moved the family to Liberia, where Dr. Fuller was born. Dr. Fuller went to Boston University School of Medicine and spent most of his career working at Westborough State Mental Hospital in Massachusetts. There, he did significant research on how the brains of people with Alzheimer’s change. Dr. Fuller was one of the first Black doctors who focused on the mind, and he worked with Dr. Alois Alzheimer, the doctor who discovered Alzheimer’s in 1901.
Mamie Phipps Clark, Ph.D. & Kenneth Bancroft Clark, Ph.D.
Mamie Phipps Clark, the first African American woman to earn a psychology Ph.D. from Columbia University, noticed a lack of mental health services for minorities during her education. Teaming up with her husband Kenneth Clark, they conducted the influential “Doll Study” with more than 200 Black children, contributing to the end of school segregation. Kenneth later became the first Black president of the American Psychological Association. Driven by a passion for accessible mental health services, Mamie and Kenneth opened “The Northside Center for Child Development” in 1946, focusing on the Harlem community. Mamie worked there until her 1979 retirement.
Paul Bertau Cornely, M.D., DrPH
Dr. Cornely, a pioneer, co-founded the National Student Health Association in 1939, became President of the Physician’s Forum in 1954, and founded the District of Columbia Public Health Association in 1962. In 1968, he made history as the first African-American President of the American Public Health Association. Focused on equitable healthcare, he wrote more than 100 articles addressing affordability and social influences on health. Breaking down segregation, he studied diseases like tuberculosis. Retiring in 1973, he left a profound impact as a respected professor at Howard University College of Medicine.
E. Kitch Childs, Ph.D.
In 1969, E. Kitch Childs played a key role in starting the Association for Women in Psychology. She was one of the first members of Chicago's Gay Liberation Front too. Apart from leading efforts for women in psychology and the LGBTQ+ community, she ran her own counseling practice. There, she helped LGBTQ+ individuals, people with HIV/AIDS, and other marginalized people. Kitch used feminist therapy, focusing on the experiences of Black women and feminist ideas in her research and work.
Robert Lee Williams II
Robert Lee Williams II invented the Black Intelligence Test of Cultural Homogeneity. This test focused on Black experiences, language, and culture. The results from this test challenged the idea that Black people were less intelligent than white people, suggesting that previous IQ test differences might be due to language and experiential variations that favored white people. Williams was also a founding member of the National Association of Black Psychologists and became its second president.
Jacki McKinney, M.S.W.
Ms. McKinney, a survivor of trauma, addiction, homelessness, and the mental health and criminal justice systems, emerged as a resilient family advocate, focusing on challenges faced by African American women and their children. A key figure in initiating the National People of Color Consumer/Survivor Network, she was a Center for Mental Health Services consultant. Ms. McKinney is renowned for her impactful speeches addressing seclusion/restraint, intergenerational family support, and minority concerns in public mental health. Recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, she’s celebrated for exceptional advocacy for trauma survivors.
Joseph L. White, Ph.D.
Joseph L. White, like Francis Cecil Sumner, is sometimes called "the father of Black psychology.” He wrote the groundbreaking article “Toward a Black Psychology,” credited as the first-ever positive look at Black behavior and culture, focusing on strengths rather than weaknesses. White believed that using ideas from white psychology on Black people often made them seem less capable, even though it was really because the psychological principles weren’t relevant to their culture. He strongly supported creating Black psychology to better understand and help Black individuals. In 1968, he was vital in founding the Association of Black Psychologists and the Black Studies program at San Francisco State University.
Harriette Pipes McAdoo, Ph.D.
Harriette Pipes McAdoo and her husband, John Lewis McAdoo, teamed up to study Black families in the Washington, DC, area as part of the Family Life Project. They specifically looked at middle-class families, rather than those who were working-class or living in poverty. Harriette’s research was among the first to question and disprove negative stereotypes about Black families. President Jimmy Carter chose her to be part of the White House Conference on Families because of her valuable work on the Family Life Project.
James P. Comer, M.D., M.P.H.
Dr. Comer is a professor at Yale University School of Medicine. He is well-known for starting the Comer School Development Program in 1968, which focuses on improving schools. He has been featured in newspapers, magazines, and on television, and has written articles for academic journals. Dr. Comer is also a co-founder and former president of the Black Psychiatrists of America. He has received many awards and has over 48 honorary degrees. In 2014, President Barack Obama nominated him to serve on the President's Commission on Educational Excellence for African Americans.
M. Joycelyn Elders, M.D.
Dr. Joycelyn Elders, the first African American and second woman to serve as the U.S. Surgeon General, advocated for universal health coverage and comprehensive health education, including sex education in schools. Despite her impactful initiatives during her 15-month tenure, she faced early resignation. Dr. Elders, a certified pediatric endocrinologist, conducted pioneering research on growth, diabetes, teen pregnancy, and congenital disabilities. As head of the Arkansas Department of Health, she prioritized minority health, establishing a dedicated office. Dr. Elders leaves a legacy of advancements in healthcare and a commitment to minority well-being.
Beverly Greene, Ph.D.
Beverly Greene wrote the landmark article “When the Therapist is White and the Patient is Black: Considerations for Psychotherapy in the Feminist Heterosexual and Lesbian Communities.” She is a pioneer of intersectional psychology, which looks at how different parts of a person’s identity (e.g., gender, sexuality, and race) affect how they experience privilege, discrimination, and mental health. Dr. Greene’s work earned her the Distinguished Publication Award from the Association for Women in Psychology in 2008.
Maxie Clarence Maultsby Jr, M.D.
Dr. Maultsby created a way to help people with their emotions and behaviors, a psychotherapeutic method called rational behavioral therapy. He looked into how people can manage their emotions and actions better. Dr. Maultsby’s unique contributions include making emotional self-help a legitimate subject of scientific research with actual clinical use. With rational behavior therapy, he created a system for counseling that brings together the latest facts about how the brain works with emotions and behavior. It’s a kind of therapy that doesn’t take a long time, is drug-free, and gives lasting results. Dr. Maultsby wrote books describing his self-help method for both professionals and regular people.
Hope Landrine, Ph.D.
Dr. Hope Landrine, a renowned expert in health psychology and public health, published “The Politics of Madness” in 1992. Her research shed light on the impact of existing societal inequities on the diagnosis and categorization of psychiatric disorders. This pioneering scientific data revealed that stereotypes about women, individuals in poverty, and racial and ethnic minorities played a role in influencing psychiatric diagnoses, contributing to the perpetuation of societal inequities. Dr. Landrine consistently applied a public health perspective to psychology and psychiatry. She argued that the field’s emphasis on decontextualized individuals is inadequate for comprehending overall health.
Beverly Daniel Tatum, Ph.D.
Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, acclaimed author of “Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria And Other Conversations About Race,” is renowned for her extensive work addressing racism and its impact on the American education system. She contends that racism, particularly within schools, significantly hinders students’ development of racial identity and underscores the pressing necessity for ongoing dialogues about race. In recognition of her unwavering dedication to addressing racism, psychology, and education, Dr. Tatum was honored with the American Psychological Association Award for Outstanding Lifetime Contribution to Psychology in 2014.
Bebe Moore Campbell
Bebe Moore Campbell, an American author, journalist, teacher, and mental health advocate, dedicated herself to addressing the mental health challenges within Black and other marginalized communities. She established NAMI-Inglewood in a predominantly Black neighborhood, providing a safe environment for discussions about mental health among Black individuals. As her advocacy extended to Washington, D.C., Congress officially designated June 2, 2008, as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. This recognition aimed to spotlight the distinctive struggles that underrepresented groups encounter in the realm of mental illness in the United States.
Linda James Myers, Ph.D.
Dr. Myers, a distinguished psychologist, specializes in moral and spiritual identity development, healing practices, and intersections of race, gender, and class. Internationally acclaimed for her Optimal Psychology theory, she has trained globally and authored works like "Understanding an Afrocentric World View." Her Oneness model integrates African deep thought with modern physics. Awards include the Bethune/Woodson, Oni, and Building to Eternity. As an honored educator, she leads psychology associations and supports African American children with learning disabilities.
Jennifer Eberhardt, Ph.D.
Jennifer Eberhardt, a distinguished psychology professor at Stanford University, specializes in exploring the repercussions of the psychological link between race and crime. Her extensive research covers implicit bias, criminal justice, and the education system, offering crucial insights that have been instrumental in training law enforcement officers on implicit bias. In recognition of her work, Dr. Eberhardt was awarded the prestigious MacArthur “Genius Grant” Fellowship in 2014.
Freda C. Lewis-Hall, M.D., DFAPA
Freda C. Lewis-Hall earned her BS from Johns Hopkins University and her medical doctorate from Howard University. She served as Pfizer, Inc.’s Chief Medical Officer until 2018 and as Chief Patient Officer in 2019. Trained as a psychiatrist, Dr. Lewis-Hall held leadership roles in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, academia, and research. Appointed by the Obama Administration in 2010, she served on the Board of Governors for the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute. In 2012, she chaired the Cures Acceleration Network Review Board and joined the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences Advisory Council. Dr. Lewis-Hall is actively engaged in the Clinical Trials Transformation Initiative and serves on boards including Harvard Medical School and Save the Children. Recognitions include being named among Savoy’s Top Influential Women and Black Enterprise Magazine’s 75 Most Powerful Women in Business. She’s also received the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association's "Woman of the Year” award.
Interested in these Black Mental Health Pioneers? Click their photos to learn more.
Why Silence Weighs Heavily on the Mental Health of Marginalized Communities
This article emphasizes the importance of breaking the silence on systemic racism and its impact on mental health, particularly for marginalized communities. Click to Read the Article
Microaggressions and Macro-Injustices: How Everyday Interactions Reinforce and Perpetuate Social Systems of Dominance and Oppression
This article outlines a framework that identifies microaggressions as integral components of social injustice systems. Microaggressions, rooted in everyday interactions, have a profound impact on individuals based on race, gender, or sexual orientation. The framework explores how microaggressions contribute to sustaining macro-systems of oppression, often overlooked due to disciplinary perspectives in fields like psychology and sociology. Click here to Read
Excluding Subtle Acts of Exclusion
Perhaps each of us can recall a conversation that made us feel unwelcome or misunderstood. Award-winning Richmond-based author Dr. Tiffany Jana joined Virginia this Morning by Skype to share her insights on the impact of microaggressions, which are now known as “subtle acts of exclusion” (SAEs). Click here to Watch
Mental and Behavioral Health - African Americans
How Does Mental and Behavioral Health Affect African American Populations? Click here to learn more.
Black and African American Communities and Mental Health
While mental health conditions in Black and African American (B/AA) individuals in America occur at similar or lower rates than in White Americans, the historical B/AA experience is marked by frequent trauma and violence compared to their White counterparts. This significantly affects the emotional and mental well-being of both youth and adults. Click here to learn more.
Boris Lawrence Henderson Foundation
Dedicated to changing perceptions of mental illness in the African-American community by encouraging those who suffer to seek help.
Since 1984, the Black Mental Health Alliance has been a trusted advocate, fostering holistic, culturally relevant approaches to mental health for more than 30 years. They engage national and local leaders in proactive dialogue to change perceptions and narratives.
founded by writer and mental health advocate Imadé (ee-MAH-day), envisions a world where people of African descent heal from severe depression through Black-affirming mental health support and advocac
Black Emotional and Mental Health (BEAM)
BEAM is a training, movement-building, and grant-making organization dedicated to healing, wellness, and liberation for Black communities. BEAM envisions a world where there are no barriers to Black Healing. Check out their Toolkits & Education, which include graphics on accountability, self-control, and emotional awareness; journal prompts; and articles on Black mental health.
UVA HR established the HR Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee in May 2020 in partnership with UVA’s Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and the Office for Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights (EOCR) to promote awareness of and respect for diversity at UVA. The HR DEI Committee advocates for inclusion, promotes inclusive practices and policies, and prioritizes equity in human resources programs and processes.
Current DEI committee chairs are Brian Ford and Kimberlyn McDonald, Senior HR Business Partners. John Kosky, VP & CHRO, is the HR DEI Executive Sponsor.
Eligible UVA Faculty and Staff are encouraged to take Unconscious Bias Training on LinkedIn learning.
The Diversity and Community Engagement Office provides a variety of opportunities, resources, and events within and beyond the health system. Their focus is on promoting inclusion and equity for patients and families, team members, and community members throughout the region.
The Division for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is deeply committed to enhancing the well-being, safety, and success of all UVA faculty, students, staff, alumni, visitors, and neighbors. The mission is achieved through the coordinated and collective impact of the Office for Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights, the Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and the Center for Community Partnerships.
Celebrate Black History Month with these FEAP Curated Playlists featuring music by Black artists, designed to uplift and help you find peace, focus, or perspective throughout the day.
Take a moment to listen to these songs ranging from Musical Meditation to Jazz to Opera and Soul by Black Artists for when you're looking for peace.
Take a moment to listen to these songs ranging from Poetry to Jazz to Harp by Black Artists for when you're looking for focus and awareness.
Take a moment to listen to these songs ranging from Poetry to Soul to R&B by Black Artists for when you're looking for perspective.
Tune as You Go resources offer strategies through video and audio to promote sustainable wellness while working in highly stressful environments. Explore a variety of categories below.
FEAP is devoted to creating a space where everyone feels valued. With purpose, we’ve cultivated a team with a diverse array of experiences and perspectives. Our consultants have undergone specialized training, ensuring that we can provide trauma-informed care, particularly in the realm of racial trauma. This is a testament to our commitment to continuous growth and the emotional well-being of all we serve. We encourage you to check out our Resources in Support of Black people, Indigenous people, and people of color.
Visit Our Resource Page in Support of BIPOC
FEAP For You provides a comprehensive selection of resources crafted to elevate and bolster our holistic well-being, taking into account the diverse and intersecting aspects of our lives.
FEAP offers quality, professional, and comprehensive services, tailored to your individual needs. For employees and their families, we offer assessment, short-term counseling, referral, and follow-up at no cost to the employee for a wide variety of personal concerns. Our program is confidential. Reach out today!
