This Black History Month, to amplify Black voices and foster meaningful conversations around Black mental health, Grant Halliburton Foundation is highlighting staff and board members who are driving positive change at the Foundation and throughout North Texas.

Today, we're spotlighting Sonya Parker Goode, CLC, CAMS-I, director of community outreach, to explore her experiences, insights, and contributions in creating a more inclusive, equitable, and mentally healthy world for the Black community.

How are you involved and impacting the Black mental health community in North Texas?

I support and amplify the voices of Black mental health advocates and organizations by staying actively involved in what’s happening with the Black community and working diligently to meet the Black community where they are. A part of my job as director of community outreach is to ensure that Grant Halliburton Foundation is sharing resources and communicating information about mental health in a way that minimizes communication gaps amongst people of color.

My goal is to educate the Black community about the ways they can improve their mental health and the mental health of their children and families by partnering with other community-based organizations like Bridging the Gap Foundation, The Defensive Line, The Mind Field, NAMI South Dallas Sector, Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas, For Oak Cliff, Carter’s House, and others who are equally committed to serving the Black community.

When Black History Month is mentioned, what thoughts and sentiments come to mind for you personally, particularly about mental health?

Stigma comes to mind. It’s a sad reality that mental health stigma still persists in the Black community. Of course, we know there are a number of cultural and systemic barriers that cause Black people to not seek treatment for mental health challenges. Some of these barriers include historical trauma, discrimination, lack of access to mental health resources, and misinformation about mental health.

I want people to remember that there's not a quick fix to addressing mental health stigma in the Black community. It’s a process that will require ongoing work and discussion. By working together to create open and honest conversations about mental health, we can create a more supportive and inclusive environment for Black people struggling with mental health issues.

What specific mental health issues do you find most prevalent or pressing within the Black community, and how do you address them in your work?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black people are more likely to experience chronic and persistent mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, and Black teenagers are more likely to attempt suicide than their peers. With those factors in mind, it’s important for me to help create safe spaces that address these challenges by having an open and empathetic mindset and doing the work of listening to and learning from those who have the courage to step up and share that they are struggling mentally and emotionally.

I’m always looking for opportunities to encourage conversations about mental health in the Black community, promoting the need for the recruitment of Black mental health providers and volunteers, and trying to develop partnerships with Black mental health professionals and organizations to ensure that Grant Halliburton Foundation is providing culturally-responsive mental health resources that address the unique challenges faced by Black people.

As a professional in the mental health field, how do you work to dismantle stigmas surrounding mental health in the Black community?

As a professional in the mental health field, I take my role very seriously. By increasing awareness in the Black community, I am doing my part to address the mental health issues plaguing my people and to break down the stigma surrounding mental health. I want Black people to learn to prioritize their mental health and not hesitate to seek support and resources when needed.

How can mental health professionals better cater their services to be more inclusive and culturally competent for the Black community?

Mental health professionals can start the process of being more inclusive and culturally appropriate by educating themselves on the mental health experiences of Black people. They can also call out the stereotypes and stigmatizing language regarding mental health, advocate for increased access to mental health resources for communities that face barriers, and participate in mental health awareness events and initiatives in the Black community.