mental health

Nine months after the official end of the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health providers are only starting to grapple with the effects of the years-long health emergency on young people.

At the same time that demand for free or low-cost mental health resources is surging, recent research has identified a troubling trend: the rise in suicide rates among Black women and girls.

Afiya Mbilishaka struggled with a conflict during her college years: Should she try to make a career in hair styling or psychology? Her aunt gave the answer: “Well, why can’t you do both?” So she did.

For many years, people on probation had to wait until their trial to voluntarily seek mental health care and other services or be ordered to go into treatment by a judge. Now, for the first time, Massachusetts is removing that obstacle, easing the process and enrolling them in MassHealth right inside the courthouse.

So here we are once again, looking at the death of an unarmed Black man at the hands of a white man. And once again, our justice system was slow to react when it came to holding accountable the white man for the seemingly senseless murder.

Life during the pandemic hasn’t been easy. It’s taken a toll on nearly every aspect of our daily lives, from work to school to gatherings with loved ones and friends.