Being healthy shouldn’t feel financially out of reach — I’ve always known it was important to be “healthy.” But for much of my life, I didn’t know how to get there. Growing up in the South, “health” was most often framed around spiritual wellness. As far as my elders were concerned, as long as there was time to regularly…

I’m tired of translating my experiences — A few weeks ago, my phone rang with a call from an unfamiliar number. On the line was yet another new therapist reaching out to schedule yet another first appointment. I was introduced to the benefits of counseling during college, where I was a psychology major. As a student, I…

Black women are at a higher risk for mental health issues post-birth, and less likely to get the help they need — When Imani Bates, 31, realized she had lost control over her pelvic and gluteal muscles shortly after giving birth, she felt profoundly disconnected from her body. “I woke up and I couldn’t move them,” she says.“They were in complete paralysis. I panicked.” Adjusting to dramatic physical changes so soon after…

How I’m grappling with my odds of surviving childbirth — In many ways, I’m just like every other pregnant woman in the United States. I’m about halfway through my second pregnancy, and I’ve already navigated the questions of what the birth of my second child, a girl, will mean for me personally and professionally. Like many expectant couples, my husband…

PERSPECTIVE | Four women open up about their losses — Over the last few months, I have spent time speaking with both mental health professionals and the loved ones of police brutality victims. It’s been an experience like no other. Nothing can prepare you to listen to the stories of families who have been robbed of those they love and…

It took me years to fully understand the historical context and meaning of the holiday I grew up celebrating.