Black History Month: Local expert sheds light on importance of representation in mental health

Mental Health Matters

DELMARVA. – Mental health matters is a message that mental health counselor, Jeri Jones, with Life Management of Maryland LLC., lives by in her role as a healer.

It’s why she works to educate her community on the importance of destigmatizing mental health and prioritizing mental wellbeing.

“If you find a therapist, that’s a different type of relationship,” said Jones. “It’s a safe space and there is no judgment, and you should be able to go in that space and talk about anything, anything that you want.”

According to the Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration, 21% of Black and African Americans reported having a mental illness.

That statistic is the reason Jones said representation in the mental health field is so important, so patients can see themselves in the professionals they confide in.

“When you don’t know if you have an ally or not, the first thing that we can go off of is what we see,” said Jones. “If you look like me, or your hair is like mine, or there are things that I can visually see that we have in common, then there’s an assumption that, ‘Hey, we’re the same.”

And that likeness is what Jones is trying to power into more people seeking the support they need.

“It’s just amazing to be able to witness people changing their lives, right before your eyes,” said Jones.