July is BIPOC Mental Health Month in the US. It exists to “bring awareness to the unique struggles that underrepresented groups face regarding mental illness” in this country. While mental health challenges impact humans regardless of race, body size, sexual orientation, gender, socioeconomic status, and so on, we also recognize that racism, colonization, police brutality, and white supremacy—among other things—are events and harsh realities that affect BIPOC in a significant way that can not and should not be ignored or dismissed.&nbsp; &nbsp; In this episode, to help us lean into those things, we’re joined by Ricky Neal, Crisis Text Line’s Volunteer Experience Manager. As a Black man growing up in Laurens, South Carolina, he’ll share his personal mental health experience when it comes to racial identity and cultural stigma, and from a professional lens, Ricky will talk about the importance of having the people on the other end of a call, text, or counseling appointment be able to identify with the unique struggles BIPOC communities face on a daily basis. &nbsp; Show Notes (Links of ours and guests): &nbsp; Download a transcript of this episode at . &nbsp; Follow TWLOHA on social media at: &nbsp;    &nbsp; Visit our FIND HELP page of mental health resources at . &nbsp; Get connected for free, 24/7 to a trained crisis counselor via Crisis Text Line by texting TWLOHA to 741741. &nbsp; Connect with our team by emailing . &nbsp; Learn more about the podcast and previous episodes at . &nbsp; For a collection of articles, books, and videos on learning and practicing antiracism, visit .&nbsp; &nbsp; For a list of BIPOC-specific mental health resources go to .&nbsp; &nbsp; Visit  to purchase merchandise that supports TWLOHA’s mission. &nbsp; Download The Hopeful, a free daily-use self-care app from TWLOHA, at . &nbsp; Credits: &nbsp; This episode of the TWLOHA podcast was hosted by Chad Moses and produced by Rebecca Ebert. Music assistance was provided by James Likeness and Ben Tichenor.

Episode 412: “On Self-Awareness, Representation, & Defying Stigma” with Ricky Neal (from Crisis Text Line)

From the nonprofit To Write Love on Her Arms comes a new podcast about mental health and the things that make us human. Each episode will cover topics we tend not to talk about, including depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide.