The South African Zulu philosophy of Ubuntu emphasizes collective thoughts and actions. Ubuntu happens when “I am, because we are” is transformed from a phrase into a therapeutic way of living. When we consider recent tragedies in Virginia and Louisiana, alongside the health disparities impacting Black/African people, the call for change reverberates.
In Fairfax, Virginia, and Shreveport, Louisiana, Black men with mental health challenges committed vicious acts of violence. Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax committed femicide by murdering his wife, Dr. Cerina Fairfax, before choosing to die by suicide in Virginia. We also lost the children, Jayla Elkins, Shayla Elkins, Kayla Pugh, Layla Pugh, Markaydon Pugh, Sariahh Snow, Khedarrion Snow, and Braylon Snow in Shreveport when Shamar Elkins shot them while they slept.
The need to expand access to and improve the quality of mental health services for our community is clear. Recent domestic violence incidents remind us that we must pull our collective resources together to offer comprehensive health programs and services.
Recent data gathered by the US Department of Health and Human Services and articles featured on PsychDiscourse’s research corner affirm that Black America’s health is in a dire state. We are 50% more likely than non-Black people to be diagnosed with diabetes. Black/African people in America are also more likely to experience mental health stigmas and to encounter physical challenges with high blood pressure, chronic lower respiratory disease, and kidney diseases.
Health and environmental ailments impact longevity and quality of life. It’s also impossible to ignore systemic racism’s role in access, treatment, and preventative resources.
By developing awareness and making strategic choices, we can cultivate lifestyles with holistic health benefits for ourselves, our families, and our communities. Ubuntu health and wellness initiatives start, continue, and end with our actions. We can use our platforms to teach and model healthy behaviors, including exercise, healthy eating, and mindfulness practices.
The social media profiles we use online and the leadership positions we hold in person can serve as resources to inspire, educate, and equip Black/African people. They have the potential to illustrate loving relationships and direct our community toward resources.
At the Umoja Community Education Foundation, we affirm that our African-centered services, courses, and programs act as a power base for student participants. The “Umoja as a Power Base” practice declares, “We share awareness that our students shoulder the weight of their brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, and many others.” Umoja encourages sharing knowledge and skills to enhance the lives of our community.
Through events, the “Umoja as a Power Base” practice is aligned with academic support and wellness activities. We engage students in informative indabas, sound baths, capoeira classes, and Kemetic yoga at the Summer Leadership Summit, our annual conference, and regional summits. By offering educational, health, and wellness options, we reinforce the value of community well-being.
We aim to increase academic success and prevent gender-based homicide or femicide, suicide, and other severe outcomes of mental health challenges.
Literature from Black psychologists informs Umoja’s work with high schools, colleges, and universities. At the headquarters, Dr. Wade Noble’s book, Seeking the Sakhu, is among the titles on our staff’s reading list. The field of Black psychology helps us understand the various factors impacting well-being in our community.
The Association of Black Psychologists serves as an Ubuntu wellness service provider through multiple chapters across international communities. Online and in-person members host Sawabona healing circles for professionals, students, and clients. We work in schools, community centers, and clinics.
This year’s 57th Annual International Convention conference agenda includes several health and wellness options for attendees. In addition to Black psychological indabas, we will experience sound baths, Sawubona healing circles, and daily Egyptian postures and breathwork. By investing in registration and travel expenses, we can receive the dividends of Ubuntu wellness and share the profits with others when we return home.
ABPsi understands our community’s mental health problems and offers a range of solutions in public and private settings. The annual conference is an extension of opportunities and services offered throughout the year. Our directory serves as an invaluable resource to connect with professionals beyond the conference.
An Ubuntu wellness mindset invites others to join healthy activities. Ubuntu thinking, doing, and being can include working out together and sharing a nutritious meal. It also encourages participation in partner- and group-based therapeutic services.
By applying Ubuntu and creating power bases in our communities, we can work towards eliminating mental health stigmas and preventing similar tragedies to Virginia and Louisiana. We must take proactive approaches to healing Black families in churches, mosques, temples, clinics, and on the block.
Let’s educate and model the behaviors we want others to follow. Share knowledge and lead activities that engage our bodies, minds, and souls.
Cultivate Ubuntu through spiritual practices, exercise routines, dietary selections, and educational endeavors. Our success depends on the collective ability to tap discipline and hold each other accountable.
Ubuntu says “we” instead of “me.” It’s possible to support each other and embody the meaning in “I am, because we are.” Connect with organizations that provide wellness services, such as the ABPsi and Umoja. Find a gym partner, prioritize group spiritual practices, give someone a hug, and engage in healthy conversations with family members and friends to build an Ubuntu Power Base.
Photos by victor dasilva, Trust “Tru” Katsande, and Eye for Ebony on Unsplash
