Mental Health and Collective Health Resources for Black Theater Artists
We know that being a theater artist in New York City means navigating uncertainty, pressure, and a constant push to keep creating – even when your mental health needs attention.
This guide was created with care for our community: a collection of grants, directories, therapists, healing spaces, and podcasts that center the mental health needs of Black indie theater artists.
Whether you’re looking for financial support for therapy, a culturally competent provider, or a space to reconnect with yourself – these resources are here to help you.
You deserve care. You deserve rest. You deserve healing.
We hope this guide helps make that a little more possible.
Grants and Funding Resources for Mental Health Support
IndieSpace Mental Health Grant – The IndieSpace Mental Health grant awards individual indie theater artists $500 grants to use toward therapy, medication, meditation classes, and any other mental health-related costs. As the number of grant requests outnumbers our budget, we hold an opportunity drawing at the end of each month. It is our hope that by providing this financial resource, we can help remove barriers that prevent artists from seeking and receiving the care, support, and information they need to care for their mental health.
The Loveland Foundation Therapy Fund – Varying mental health grants for Black Women to support the cost of 4-12 one-on-one therapy sessions.
Black Men Heal – Funding program that supports mental health needs for Black men by matching them with one of their in-network therapists of color and covering the cost of up to 8 therapy sessions.
HealHaus Foundation Mental Health & Wellness – Provides participants with 12 weeks of free holistic healing experiences, including 12 sessions of free therapy, three sessions of online meditation, and additional community programming.
HealthWell Foundation – Provides financial assistance to people living with chronic or life-altering illnesses, including mental health conditions. If you qualify, they may cover co-pays or premiums.
NYC-Based Mental Health Resources and Therapists
Creatives Care – A New York City nonprofit that provides free, personalized guidance and referrals for artists and creatives seeking mental health treatment.
Low Cost Therapy NYC – A comprehensive guide to different kinds of low-cost therapy services in New York City.
211 – 211 New York is a free, confidential service that connects residents to local health and human services across the state. Available 24/7 by phone, text, or online, it assists with needs like housing, food, mental health care, and more. Simply dial 2-1-1 or visit 211newyork.org to find support in your area.
988 (fka NYC Well) – 988 is New York City’s mental health hotline covering everything from immediate suicide prevention and crisis counseling, to referrals to further resources. You can call the hotline, text, or chat with an operator via the website. Operators are available 24/7 in more than 200 languages. You can also call 988 to request a Mobile Crisis Team for yourself or another person.
Pia C. Johnson, LMSW – A New York-based therapist with over 20 years of experience, offering online therapy with a holistic, humanistic approach to support individuals, particularly LGBTQ+ clients. Works with clients struggling with a broad range of issues, including but not limited to anxiety, depression, work/life stress, marital/relationship issues, and loss and grief.
Sabrina Sarro, LMSW, C-DBT, CTP – A relational psychotherapist who integrates creative, psycho-spiritual, and evidence-based modalities to support clients – particularly those from LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, neurodivergent, and chronically ill communities – in healing trauma and fostering personal growth.
National Mental Health Resources and Counseling Directories
BEAM (Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective) – An online directory focused on providing information on Black wellness practitioners such as therapists, yoga teachers, mediators, and more.
Melanin & Mental Health – An online network that connects minority communities—specifically Latinx and Black people—to mental health services. The network provides a directory of culturally competent therapists.
Therapy for Black Men – An online network that provides a dedicated space for Black men to seek and find mental health support without the stigmatization and difficulty Black men usually face in finding help.
National Queer & Trans Therapists of Color Network – An interactive digital mental health directory of therapists and mental health providers that specifically serve the queer and trans community.
Open Path Psychotherapy Collective – A nonprofit that provides low-cost therapy services to those who do not have health insurance, or whose insurance lacks adequate mental health coverage.
Lower Cost Prescription Drugs – There are a number of resources for finding lower-cost prescription drugs. These vary in accessibility and affordability. Some are also funded by drug manufacturers, which makes them complicated. Two resources that are generally accepted as helpful are GoodRx and NeedyMeds.
Healing Spaces and Resources
HealHaus – Brooklyn-based wellness center offering virtual and in-person yoga, meditation, and body workshops. They also offer private yoga sessions, energy coaching, holistic medicine, and lunar oracle.
Therapy for Black Girls – An online community dedicated to encouraging mental wellness for Black women and Black girls. Therapy for Black Girls also offers a referral tool to help users find mental health services.
Creative Healing Counseling & Wellness Center – A private clinical practice offering mental health and wellness services. Creative Healing was founded in January 2015 by Alyssa Simmonds and Nefertitti Towns-Scott. Alyssa and Nefertitti founded Creative Healing as a private practice that specializes in helping children and families navigate the various stages of development and life.
NY People of Color Healing Circle – Queer & Transgender BIPOC-centered & led energy healing.
Dear Black Women Project : Your Care Package – An extensive care package including affirmation letters, Moments of Black Girl Love and Joy, resources, and much more!
Current Black Mental Health Podcasts
Therapy For Black Girls Podcast – A weekly chat about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves.
Celeste The Therapist – A weekly podcast where Celeste delves into a common struggle we all face and provides practical ways to overcome it. With her expertise in mental health, she will facilitate an open discussion on the topic, allowing participants to gain valuable insights and strategies.
Balanced Black Girl Podcast and Resources – A podcast and wellness community building a mindful sisterhood to help you find your balance. Episodes and resources focus on everyday health, self-care, and personal development.
All Black Men Need Therapy – Hosts Chief, Bell, and Prentice unpack past and present issues that affect the mental health and well-being of black men. They engage in honest, vulnerable dialogue surrounding the complexities of life as black men.
Black Girls Heal – The Black Girls Heal podcast helps women of color love addicts and avoidants heal from unresolved trauma, break unhealthy relationship patterns, and improve their self love.
Archived Black Mental Health Podcasts
While these podcasts are not actively updated, their archived episodes may be a resource for you.
Between the Sessions – Two brown chicks changing the face of therapy on both sides of the couch.
Minding My Black Business with Dr. Janae Taylor – Dedicated to the mental health of Black Entrepreneurs with a goal to engage, inform, and support other Black Entrepreneurs as they manage the business of work!
Black Girl in OM – Welcome to your go-to conversation on all things wellness, self-care and self-love for women of color, hosted by Black Girl In Om Founder Lauren Ash and Art Director Deun Ivory.
Silent Symptoms: Black Mental Health Podcast – This podcast stemmed from observing the lack of knowledge about mental health in the black community, the stigma about therapy, and the lack of empathy about mental illnesses in the black community. There will be various topics that will resonate.
The Black Girl Bravado – A motivating and encouraging podcast for Black Women everywhere. Candid conversations on self-care, self-love, mental health, and wellness.
The Black Boys and Men: Changing the Narrative – Thought leaders analyze stereotypes and dispel myths concerning Black boys and men.
Disclaimer:
This guide includes resources and providers that have been recommended to us by members of our community. While we’ve done our best to share supportive and reputable options, IndieSpace is not affiliated with and does not formally endorse any of the organizations, practitioners, or services listed here. We encourage you to do your own research and choose the options that feel right for you.
If you have feedback on this guide or would like to share a resource, please contact IndieSpace at communications@indiespace.org. We appreciate it!