At Health Affiliates Maine, February is a time for reflection and recommitment. As we observe Black History Month, we look to the past for the stories of courage and progress that shape our present, and we also look inward, asking how we can continue to be part of a future rooted in equity, dignity, and care for all.
Mental health care has long been shaped by the efforts of Black leaders who challenged injustice, advocated for change, and laid the groundwork for how we understand emotional wellness today. Their legacies remind us that mental health is not separate from our social reality. It is deeply tied to access, representation, and a sense of safety in being seen and heard.
Honoring Pioneers Who Paved the Way
Dr. Mamie Phipps Clark was the first Black woman to receive a doctorate in psychology from Columbia University. Her groundbreaking research on racial identity and self-perception in children helped expose the harmful psychological effects of segregation. Her work was a foundational piece of the Brown v. Board of Education case, demonstrating the way racism undermines emotional well-being, especially in childhood.
Dr. Solomon Carter Fuller, the first Black psychiatrist in the United States, contributed vital research to our early understanding of Alzheimer’s disease. While navigating significant racial barriers in the medical field, he also championed better mental health care for African Americans and worked to ensure that Black patients were treated with dignity and respect.
Their stories matter — not only for what they accomplished but for what they reveal about resilience in the face of systemic injustice. As we honor their legacies, we also affirm that the pursuit of equitable mental health care continues today.
Listening to Today’s Voices
We also recognize the work of modern-day leaders like Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, founder of Therapy for Black Girls. Through her podcast, clinical insight, and online community, Dr. Bradford is breaking down stigma and making therapy more accessible, especially for Black women and girls. Her work is a powerful example of how representation and culturally responsive care can open doors to healing.
At Health Affiliates Maine, we share that mission. We believe that mental health care must reflect the diversity of the people it serves. Everyone deserves to see themselves reflected in their care, and to find providers who understand the cultural and personal contexts that shape their experience.
Caring for the Whole Person
February is also American Heart Month and includes Eating Disorders Awareness Week. These observances remind us that mental and physical health are not separate. They are part of one whole story.
Stress, trauma, anxiety, and depression can all take a toll on our hearts. Likewise, heart health challenges can deepen emotional struggles. Eating disorders, too, often go unseen and untreated — especially in marginalized communities — despite their serious health risks.
In all of this, the message is clear: healing must include the whole person. And care must be compassionate, comprehensive, and inclusive.
Continuing the Work
This month, as we honor the past and listen to the present, we recommit ourselves to the work of creating a healthier, more equitable Maine. That means supporting our clinicians, case managers, and BHH team members. It means uplifting the voices of those historically underrepresented in care. And it means holding space for healing in all its forms.
We’re grateful to be on this journey with you.