CBWG Marks Mental Health Awareness Month with Guide on Black Mental Health
55 Page Report Addresses Challenges Facing Women and Girls and How to Advocate for Medical Support
Today, the Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls (CCBWG), under the leadership of co-founder and co-chair Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), released “Unweathered” — A Black Women and Girls’ Guide to Wellness and Resilience, a 55-page report meant to teach how mental health issues may show up differently for Black women and girls; how to find support and support others dealing with their mental health; and how to protect and advocate for your own mental health and the mental health of Black women and girls around you.
Today's health disparities are rooted in a long history of U.S. policies and events and reflect the ongoing impacts of racism and discrimination. People of African descent, particularly those in the diaspora whose ancestors were forcibly removed from Africa through the transatlantic slave trade. Through 1965, U.S. laws were used to justify the abuse of Black people. In 2026, racism is often more subtle, but remains harmful and manifests through reduced access to housing, health care, and education, as well as disproportionately high rates of incarceration. Our people have demonstrated remarkable resilience despite centuries of adversity and trauma. Our journey is marked by the ongoing process of healing and building strength, often drawing upon the rich traditions and heritage of African cultures.
The guide was created by the Black Girls Mental Health subcommittee of the Black Mental Health Braintrust, led by Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), and Robin Kelly (IL-02). The subcommittee works towards a world where Black women and girls are valued and portrayed positively and their authentic voices are uplifted and seen as central to our collective global story.
Earlier this month, the CCBWG co-chairs introduced a resolution to address the systemic inequities faced by Black women and girls and support their inclusion in the policymaking process. The resolution is co-sponsored by Representatives LaMonica McIver, Frederica S. Wilson, Eleanor Holmes Norton, and Henry Johnson, Jr.
The mental health guide can be found here.