rising up

kiND therapy + wellness was created to address systemic oppression and provide a space for acceptance and healing. kiND acknowledges the intersectionality of systemic violence against oppressed people and recognizes this is especially urgent for Black lives. Time is far overdue for allies like kiND to rise up against this and so many other injustices that impact Black communities.

I stand in solidarity with Black communities. I actively commit to allyship as ongoing actions of both listening + learning and challenging + changing. I actively commit to examine and remedy my own complicity in white supremacy by holding myself accountable and challenging myself to do better. In recognizing my own privilege and responsibility, I strive to amplify the voices of Black individuals and communities, speak out against systemic racism, and offer resources to support safety, equity, and healing.  I see the pain of 400+ years of violence and oppression, and, in doing so, acknowledge that this revolution is not momentary, but active and ongoing by definition and necessity.  I pledge to do my part both as a person and as a practice and to help others do the same.

kiND plans to do the following:

• contribute financially to incentives that specifically support the equity + wellbeing of Black communities

• work together with local advocacy organizations to support their mission

• amplify the voices of Black individuals, advocates, and communities

• write, call, and petition local leaders to demand structural change

• share resources with the community to fulfill needs, promote knowledge, and speak out against racial injustice

• examine race in the therapy space by engaging in continuing education on cultural competency, providing culturally-competent care while recognizing my evolving position as an informed not-knower, confronting internal bias, and exploring with clients the impact of race on mental health, both in privilege and oppression

• recognize and advocate for the intersectional systemic issues which disproportionately affect Black communities, including but not limited to education, healthcare, and income inequality and the oppression of LGBTQIA+ communities, women, children, and, of course, neurodivergent people

• continue to listen, learn, grow, and change in alignment with an intersectional anti-oppression mission and an anti-racist agenda

kiND suggests the following resources* to support this needed change:

• NAMI Helpline Resources

• Black Girl Lost Keys: For Black Women with ADHD

• 44 Mental Health Resources for Black People Trying to Survive in This Country

• Anti-Racism for Beginners

• Black Therapists Rock

• Inclusive Therapists

• The Essence Guide to Finding a Black Therapist

• Re-Imagining Self-Care for Black Folks

• Ways to Help if You’re Unable to Protest

• How to Be an Activist When You’re Unable to Attend Protests

• Anti-Racism Resources for White People

• Scaffolded Anti-Racist Resources

• Your Kids Aren’t Too Young to Talk About Race: Resource Round Up

• Social Justice Resources for Children

• Racism Interruptions: Responses to Racist Comments

if you are looking to make a meaningful donation, kiND encourages you to explore the following organizations:

• Black Lives Matter

• Stream to Donate Black Lives Matter Youtube Playlist (Cost-free— Only costs a click + time!)

• The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation COVID-19 Free Virtual Therapy Campaign

• Rest for Resistance

• Black Visions Collective

• The Marshall Project

• The American Civil Liberties Union

• Autistic People of Color Fund

• The Okra Project Nina Pop Mental Health Recovery Fund and the Tony McDade Mental Health Recovery Fund in support of Black Trans people

• The Loveland Foundation Therapy Fund

• Bail Funds/Legal Help by City -- Both a resource and charitable organization master list

• Reclaim the Block— Master list of charitable organizations

Black Lives Matter

kiND stands with you

*The above resource lists are far from exhaustive. kiND also regularly shares resources and information via social media. Currently, kiND primarily engages with social media via the Facebook platform. Future updates and changes to platform use will be noted on the kiND therapy + wellness website. Click here for additional information available on the kiND therapy + wellness Facebook page.