S5 E3: Breaking The Silence:A Conversation About Our Mental Health

In this episode of Woke Mommy Chatter, we delve into the nuanced and often overlooked mental health experiences of Black women. Host Kearie Daniel leads an insightful conversation with two incredible therapists, Amma Gyamfowa and Chantal Gray, who share their expertise and personal reflections on mental health in Black communities.

 

Amma Gyamfowa, a Ghanaian-Canadian mental health therapist, registered social worker, and founder of Womanist Healing, has spent over a decade supporting Black individuals, families, and communities across the Greater Toronto Area. She provides holistic counseling services and Afrocentric workshops designed to empower Black communities in their healing journeys.

 

Chantal Gray, a Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist, and co-founder of Winrose Oasis Services Inc. and Healing Sister Circle, focuses on creating spaces of healing for children, youth, adults, and families. Chantal’s work spans addressing anxiety, depression, trauma, and grief, fostering community care and support.

 

Together, they unpack critical topics, including:

• How depression and anxiety often manifest differently in Black women, such as through high-functioning behaviors or irritability.

• The damaging effects of the “strong Black woman” trope and how it perpetuates emotional suppression.

• The intergenerational and systemic factors, including anti-Black racism, that influence mental health.

• Strategies for recognizing when help is needed, even for those who appear “high-functioning.”

• How family dynamics, societal expectations, and “hustle culture” contribute to mental health challenges.

 

The episode also explores the role of community care, postpartum depression, and breaking down stigma to promote conversations about mental wellness in Black communities. Both Amma and Chantal emphasize the importance of creating safe spaces, nurturing vulnerability, and fostering joy for Black women and their families.

 

For more information about their work, visit www.healingsisterscircle.com.

 

This episode is a must-listen for anyone invested in dismantling stigma and advocating for the mental health of Black women. Join us as we explore what it means to care for our minds and communities with compassion and intention.