By: Alyssa Wilson

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and many organizations are using this time to fight stigma and provide support to those battling mental health conditions.   

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The Black community has been seriously impacted by mental health issues, according to data by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health. The department reported that in 2019 suicide was the second leading cause of death for Blacks and African Americans between the ages of 15 to 24. It also noted that members of the Black community living below the poverty level are twice as likely to report serious psychological distress.  

Ethel’s Club is an online social and wellness community for people of color. It was founded by Naj Austin, who was inspired by her grandmother. “Ethel Lucas was a matriarch figure in a tight-knit Black community whose home offered warmth, laughter, and care. Her belief in community as a practice lives on in her granddaughter, our Founder and CEO, Naj Austin,” the organization wrote on its website.  

 

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It is the first social and wellness platform specifically designed to celebrate people of color in physical and digital spaces. The organization’s vision is to “spark the next renaissance with people of color at the forefront.” Interested participants can become a member, shop for products, sponsor a membership, host an event or become a vendor.  

For $17 a month, people can join the digital community and get exclusive access to daily wellness and culture classes which connect them to a community of like-minded individuals. There are digital classes on multiple topics, including yoga, breathwork, fitness, beauty and meditation.  

 

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With a strong zero-tolerance policy for all forms of discrimination, Ethel’s Club members must commit to making sure the community is a safe space for everyone. 

Prospective members can join the organization here. 

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