Medical and health information

This is a result of centuries of institutionalized racial policies that continue to serve as obstacles to Black people fighting for racial equality.Although the struggles that Black people continue to face have largely been discredited under the belief that society has moved beyond segregation and slavery, the recent shooting of Jacob Blake and the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery — to name but a few — have brought to light the extent of racial injustice in the U.S. and beyond.that is supposed to grant them protection.The endless murders of Black people at the hands of the police further jeopardize the mental health of Black people as a result of this collective suffering, lack of justice, and perceived lesser value of life that these racist institutions continue to perpetuate.It has been over 3 months since the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery. After the killing of George Floyd, protests raged across the world in hopes of achieving justice for Black people. But, only a few days ago, we witnessed the shooting of yet another Black man: Jacob Blake. And once again, protests have erupted.More non-Black people are attending protests and being vocal about the injustices that Black people face at the hands of the police than ever before. With this movement, it seems increasingly evident that more non-Black people are also being made aware of their contributions to racism and of the necessity to remain vocal and in solidarity with Black lives.. Show up for the cause. Whether that be through attending protests, making phone calls, or writing emails, it is necessary to acknowledge that in addition to addressing societal racism, there must be change at the legislative level.Therefore, engagement in politics is necessary. We must apply pressure from every aspect of society.The burden of fighting against racial inequality must not fall on Black people alone. The recognition of this fact is necessary when fighting to keep the movement alive in demanding tactical change.It is also important to realize that, during this time, the mental health of Black people is highly likely to take a toll, with many finding themselves forced to justify their experiences, advocate against the violence against their community, and fight for their voice to be heard.As a result, being an ally to this movement must start with routinely checking in on our friends of color. For Black people, it is also necessary to take time for yourself to avoid being overwhelmed by the outpour of devastating news coverage.To do so, it is important to take a break from social media when needed, seek support from your community and friends, and set some time aside to make sure your basic needs are taken care of.Lastly, it is important to remember that even if one is not directly affected by these murders, these events still have the ability to play a huge role in affecting one of the most important aspects of one’s health: mental health.The extent of the collective suffering of Black people during this time must not be forgotten when pursuing this fight