May is Mental Health Awareness Month and The Papa House is addressing black women’s mental health across three generations by engaging daughters ages 12-17 in conversation with their mothers and grandmothers. Connie Martin-Washington, a NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) certified facilitator and her daughter, Kai Washington, a 12th grade student at Munster High School will be leading this cultural conversation that is intended to destigmatize addressing mental health in minoritized communities. Per NAMI, 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24, only 1 in 3 Black adults in need of mental health treatment receive it, and the suicide rate among Black youth has been increasing faster than any other racial/ethnic group. Furthermore, a pertinent note is the intersection between mental illness and substance misuse because NAMI also reports that 34% of U.S. adults with mental illness also have a substance use disorder. These statistics must propel us into a space for open dialogue and candidness for the sake of breaking cycles counter to communal wellness.

Please join this intergenerational conversation for grandmothers, mothers, and their daughters focused on Black Women’s mental health.
Dinner Provided; No Pre-registration required

Additionally, Paij Rhymes, a Visual Artist and 12th grade student at Thea Bowman High School has been commissioned to capture the spirit of the journey of awareness, healing, and action this necessary discussion will bring forth in painting form. Moreover, Reverend Dena Holland-Neal of Peace United Church of Christ in Merrillville, IN will serve as spiritual counsel for this intergenerational conversation focused on Black Women’s mental health and her gracious congregation is providing a cultural meal.

If you work to support the mental health of the Black community and/or substance misuse prevention and would like to contribute or donate towards this event, please contact Connie Martin, Executive Director of The Papa House at 219-201-1975.