By: Roy Douglas Malonson

Every Sunday, the pews are filled. Black churches remain a cornerstone of hope and healing, and for generations, faith has sustained our people through trials. But when it comes to mental health, the numbers show that church alone isn’t enough.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness reports that 1 in 3 Black adults who need mental health care receive it, compared to almost half of White adults. At the same time, suicide among Black youth has climbed at alarming rates, with attempts increasing by nearly 80% in recent decades. Faith may give us strength, but it cannot replace professional care.

Too often, depression, anxiety, or trauma are minimized in our community. People are told to “be strong” or “just pray about it.” But mental illness is not a lack of faith

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