Health

Understanding Black Mental, Emotional Health With Ntu Theory

Published

4 years ago

February 20, 2020

Since the Association of Black Psychologists began 50 years ago, we have been working towards developing an understanding of the Black psyche. Defining mental/psychological, emotional, and spiritual health for Black people is an essential part of this process. Living in a society that devalues, demeans, and demonizes who you are requires an understanding of the emotional wounds created by this experience. There is an assembly of African American/Black psychologists who have sought to understand what mental health looks like for Black people.

In this article, I will discuss the foundations of mental health according to the Ntu theory, developed by two past presidents of the Association of Black Psychologists (ABPsi), Dr. Fred Phillips and Dr. Kevin Mwata Washington.

Ntu is an African concept that describes a universal, unifying force that underlies all existence. It is grounded in core principles of ancient African and African-centered world views. It is a philosophical belief system that guides and assists people to become balanced, unified, and whole; that is, in alignment with the divinely-governed natural order of the universe. The basic principles of Ntu are harmony, balance, interconnectedness, cultural awareness and authenticity. African American persons, families, and communities are invited to consider Ntu’s basic principles. In actuality, we believe all people could benefit from interrogating and adopting Ntu principles.

Principles of Ntu:

Being in HARMONY means living (steering) your life while understanding that divine forces are at play, which dynamically influence what directions and pathways you will traverse over the course of your life. To the extent that Black people are in harmony, we are accurately processing the circumstances of our lives. The “input signals” and meanings are clear and crisp. When you are in harmony with the divinely-governed universe, you are mentally and emotionally sharp. Guidance by the Ntu principle of harmony assists one in directing life’s paths and purposes in an efficient and rewarding manner.

BALANCE is strongly related to harmony and refers to life as a dynamic process of complementary and competing energy fields and forces. Our lives consist of all kinds of complementary relationships and notions (woman/man, sweet/sour, sacrifice/service) and competing demands (responsibility vs. obligation, work vs. family, individual needs vs. collective needs). Our task is to understand and balance these seemingly differential forces in a manner that brings about a unified whole.

INTERCONNECTEDNESS refers to an acceptance and understanding that we are energetically connected (“spiritness”) to all forces in the universe. We are connected to all life: humans, animals, plants, nature, spirits, and the environments we live in, including the multi-universe. This is not an easy concept to grasp, but consider how you feel when allowing your spirit to truly experience the beauty of new life (childbirth) or the power (majesty) of the ocean. Have you ever been with a group of people that you did not know, but felt deeply connected to while witnessing an emotional event, like a concert or a funeral? That’s the experience of Ntu.

CULTURAL AWARENESS is knowing who you are and how you fit in society at large and within the Black community. Understanding the forces that challenge your positive feelings about yourself and choosing to counter them with genuine self-love, Black joy and African pride is driven by one’s cultural awareness and consciousness. Dr. Wade Nobles, co-founder and past president of ABPsi, notes that the challenge of cultural awareness is to decolonize our minds and affirm our Being (Africanity). This requires that we have knowledge of racism and prejudices and how they operate to undermine our self-esteem and our Africanity, that which gives us a true sense of dignity and worth.

AUTHENTICITY refers to our ability to be “real” with ourselves and others. This requires us to allow ourselves to know who we are and what is really important to us. Many of us adapt to what others think we should be as opposed to checking in with ourselves to understand what is really important to us, how we want to be, what we want to do, and what we want to have in this world. Being authentic allows us to be both spontaneous and persistent. Through authenticity, we trust ourselves enough to respond to events in an effortless manner, to be in the moment, to stay true to our purpose, and to keep our eyes on the prize.

In future articles, we will consider how the Ntu principles and other Black psychology ideas and theories can guide and assist Black people to enjoy a greater sense of mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.

Sandra H. Smith, Ph.D., is a Clinical Training Director for the Therapist-in-Residency Program of The Association of Black Psychologists, Bay Area Chapter (ABPsi-Bay Area). This chapter is committed to providing the Post Newspaper readership with monthly discussions about critical issues in Black Mental Health. The ABPsi-Bay Area is a healing resource. We can be contacted at (bayareaabpsi@gmail.com) and readers are welcome to join with us at our monthly chapter meeting, every third Saturday at the West Oakland Youth Center from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Sandra H. Smith, Ph.D.

Posts by Sandra H. Smith, Ph.D.

Related Topics:mental health Ntu Theory Ph.D.Sandra H. Smith

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Community

Calif. Dept. of Public Health: Got Milk Allergies? Don’t Eat Dave’s Bakery Cornbread

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a warning on Jan. 26, instructing consumers with milk allergies or “severe sensitivity to milk” in the state to not eat Dave’s Bakery Corn Bread due to “risk of illness.” The CDPH warns that consumption of the corn bread manufactured by a Gardena-based company — with expiration dates up to June 18, 2024 — may lead to “life threatening” reactions.

Published

7 days ago

May 4, 2024

Oakland Post

Dave's Bakery Corn Bread, 9 pack/net wt. 21 oz (595g) (Courtesy of CDPH)

By California Black Media

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a warning on Jan. 26, instructing consumers with milk allergies or “severe sensitivity to milk” in the state to not eat Dave’s Bakery Corn Bread due to “risk of illness.”

The CDPH warns that consumption of the corn bread manufactured by a Gardena-based company — with expiration dates up to June 18, 2024 — may lead to “life threatening” reactions.

“This warning applies only to the Corn Bread produced by Bake R Us, DBA Dave’s Baking Company and distributed to schools, retail facilities and in vending machines primarily in southern California,” the DCPH statement reads.

“This product should not be confused with other similarly named companies with national distribution,” it continues.

According to the CDPH, although the corn bread product contains whey, which is a milk allergen, there is no allergy warning label on the packaging, though it is required by state law.

So far, authorities say, no illnesses have been reported in the state, but if anyone finds the products on sale anywhere in the state, they should call the CDPH complaint hotline at (800) 495-3232 or file a report online at CDPH.ca.gov

The CDPH is also recommending that people who have eaten the product and are experiencing any reaction or ill effects should consult their health care provider.

Oakland Post

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Bay Area

East Bay Regional Park District Issues Rattlesnake Advisory

The East Bay Regional Park District released an advisory today on rattlesnakes, which emerge from winter hibernation in early spring and become more active. Warm weather can bring more potential for rattlesnake encounters with humans and dogs, particularly along trails and roads.

Published

7 days ago

May 4, 2024

Oakland Post

The Northern Pacific rattlesnake is the species found in East Bay Regional Parks. Courtesy photo.

The Richmond Standard

The East Bay Regional Park District released an advisory today on rattlesnakes, which emerge from winter hibernation in early spring and become more active.

Warm weather can bring more potential for rattlesnake encounters with humans and dogs, particularly along trails and roads.

Visitors are encouraged to avoid hiking alone in case of an emergency, to scan the ground ahead as they walk, jog or ride, stay on trails avoiding tall grass, and to look carefully around and under logs and rocks before sitting down. Keep your dog on your leash to be extra safe, park officials said.

If you encounter a rattlesnake, leave it alone – it is unlawful to capture or harm one. Move carefully and slowly away or around it and give it plenty of space, park officials said.

Those who are bitten by a rattlesnake are instructed to stay calm by lying down with the affected limb lower than the heart, then having someone call 911.

Getting medical attention is critical.

Those bitten should not use tourniquets, “sucking,” or snake bite kits. If you are by yourself, walk calmly to the nearest source of help to dial 911, do not run.

If bitten by any other type of snake, wash the wound with soap and water or an antiseptic and seek medical attention.

Not sure what bit you? Check the bite for two puncture marks (in rare cases one) associated with intense, burning pain, which is typical of a rattlesnake bite. Other snakebites can leave marks without associated burning pain.

The Northern Pacific rattlesnake is the species found in East Bay Regional Parks. Snakes are important to the natural environment, helping to control rodents and other reptile populations. But enjoy them from afar.

For more information, download the Park District’s Common Snakes brochure or watch our Gopher Snake or Rattlesnake video to learn how to tell the difference between rattlesnakes and gopher snakes. Additional information is available at ebparks.org/safety/wildlife-encounters.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Alameda County

A Safe Place, Bay Area Domestic Violence Community Organization, Opens New Service Center in Oakland

Oakland-Bay Area non-profit, A Safe Place, announces the grand opening of its newly purchased building in Oakland that will be a service center for families that have suffered from domestic violence. The new, two-story building has over six new service rooms for counseling, mental health support groups, legal services, children’s treatment, safe space for community engagement, and partnership activities.

Published

1 week ago

May 4, 2024

Oakland Post

Façade of the new community center for A Safe Place opening on May 10 in Oakland. Courtesy photo.

By Courtney Slocum Riley

Special to The Post

Oakland-Bay Area non-profit, A Safe Place, announces the grand opening of its newly purchased building in Oakland that will be a service center for families that have suffered from domestic violence.

The new, two-story building has over six new service rooms for counseling, mental health support groups, legal services, children’s treatment, safe space for community engagement, and partnership activities.

Domestic violence occurrences and offenses account for a considerable amount of all violent crimes in Alameda County. A Safe Place is attempting to provide a safe place for families to heal. A Safe Place is the only comprehensive domestic violence assistance program including a safehouse, in Oakland.

The grand opening celebration will also serve as a fundraiser to build out healing, therapeutic spaces for children and adult victims and survivors and survivors of domestic violence (male and female).

The new service center will expand the work of the organization, founded in 1976 when a group of women working in San Francisco came together to address the urgent need for a shelter in the East Bay. A year later, they founded A Safe Place (ASP) in Oakland. Run solely by volunteers, they set up a crisis line to offer crisis counseling and information to battered women and their children.

The organization serves over 500 adults and children annually through a host of services including crisis counseling via 24-hour crisis line, emergency motel and safehouse sheltering, mental health services (counseling and support groups).

Under the leadership of Executive Director, Carolyn Russell, the organization has grown from a single program into the comprehensive domestic violence and assistance program. ASP strives to meet the growing and diverse needs of our growing community.

The organization hopes to complete all the upgrades and therapeutic room improvements by August 2024. The public is invited to donate to the effort by using the website at www.asafeplace.org/donate. The organization also accepts in-kind gifts as well as items from the organization’s Amazon Wishlist.