February is Black History Month and Sista Afya Community Care’s existence in itself is Black History! At SACC, we recognize that awareness isn’t enough. True change in the mental health community requires action and that’s why we offer programs like Thrive in Therapy. For those in need we turn our advocacy into tangible and accessible support.
As we acknowledge the progress we’ve made as a community, it’s always important to honor the trailblazers. Dr. Inez Beverly Prosser (1895-1934) was the first Black woman to become a licensed therapist in the U. S. and one of the first to earn a doctorate in psychology. Dr. Prosser’s work focused on the impact of segregation on Black children’s psychological development. Dr. Prosser’s choice to bring visibility to Black children’s mental health within her research was revolutionary. Her work was an example of how Black Americans have been fighting against racist medical ideologies. Unfortunately, Dr. Prosser was only 38-years-old when she died and had just completed her doctorate a year prior. Regardless, she made history and opened doors for accomplishments beyond her own remarkable achievements.
Today, Black Americans continue to face numerous barriers to mental health care, including stigma, systemic inequality, and financial constraints. An article highlights the cost barrier by stating, “More than 1 in 4 adults (28%) reported delaying or going without either medical care, prescription drugs, mental health care, or dental care due to cost in 2022. Fifteen percent of adults reported foregoing medical care, prescription drugs, or mental health care due to cost.” This data is not surprising. Many people's response to being asked why they haven’t considered medical assistance for any kind of issue is oftentimes, “Medical bills are expensive!” So if it’s not a life or death situation, many marginalized communities will resort to solutions that are accessible to them. Despite this, there is an increase in the demand for accessibility to therapy. Many are becoming more aware of the importance of mental health through sources like social media.
At SACC our founder and executive director, Camesha L. Jones-Brandon, LCSW, recognized the needs within her community on the south side of Chicago and was able to bring a vision to life with the help of many. More specifically, the Thrive in Therapy program offers affordable individual therapy to women experiencing numerous barriers to care. Our rates are on a sliding scale where Illinois residents 18 and older making less than $1700 per month qualify for free therapy sessions and those making between $1701-$3000 per month qualify for a reduced fee of $50 per session. SACC also accepts clients who receive Medicaid. This program has impacted over 160 Black women in 2024 alone.
SACC remains committed to dismantling barriers to mental health care. This month we launched our Thrive 100 fundraising campaign, with a goal of providing 100 free therapy sessions to Black women who are uninsured or underinsured and currently experiencing financial barriers. I encourage you to support the mental wellbeing of Black women in Chicago by donating to this campaign, receiving updates from SACC, becoming a volunteer, or sharing about our work on social media (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube).
It’s our duty to continue honoring historical figures like Dr. Prosser by pushing the work forward. Happy Black History month!
About Zilah Harris
Hi my name is Zilah Harris! I’m a Chicago native, born and raised on the west side of the city. I’m a senior at Michigan State University, majoring in psychology with a minor in African American & African studies. As a passionate future mental health professional I am dedicated to advocating for mental health services being both accessible and inclusive.
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