Breaking the Barrier: A Community-Led Initiative to Understand and Address Police Violence’s Impact on Black Mental Health

In an effort to better understand the impact of police violence on Black mental health, particularly the experiences of Black women, a mental health organization recently initiated a series of discussions. These women were given a safe space to share their encounters with law enforcement.

The conversation series is being led by Jewel Woods, the founder of Male Behavioral Health, who believes that there is a lack of understanding regarding how police violence affects marginalized groups and contributes to institutional betrayal trauma. Woods emphasizes the importance of paying attention to the unique intersections of race and gender, especially in the context of Black women’s experiences with police violence.

This community-led initiative will take place in various cities throughout the state with the objective of raising awareness and fostering better comprehension of how police violence can exacerbate mental health concerns and contribute to generational trauma within marginalized communities. By hosting these events and gathering data, Woods hopes to help combat generational trauma within the Black community, fostering positive change for future generations. The conversations will address issues such as Black suicidality and the challenges of Black parenting that stem from police violence.