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Post-Pandemic Summer: Ensuring Mental Wellness for African American Teens

NNPA NEWSWIRE — By recognizing and addressing the mental health needs of African American youth, we can ensure these young individuals have the resources and support they need to thrive.
The post Post-Pandemic Summer: Ensuring Mental Wellness for African American Teens first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 years ago

May 30, 2024

Oakland Post

By Miana Bryant, LMSW, LGSW, African American Wellness Project Advisory Board Member

As summer approaches, the anticipation of warm days and freedom from school can be both exciting and challenging, especially for African American youth facing mental health struggles. With the break from structured school environments, many teens may find themselves without the necessary support systems. Understanding the unique challenges and disparities in care and resources that African American youth face is crucial in addressing their mental health needs during this season.

African American youth often encounter systemic barriers to mental health care, including:

Limited Access to Quality Care: Many African American communities face a shortage of mental health professionals, particularly those who are culturally competent and sensitive to the specific experiences of African American teens and young adults. Nationally, 4% of psychologists (American Psychological Association, 2018), 2% of psychiatrists (American Psychiatric Association, 2021), 22% of social workers (Institute for Health Workforce Equity, 2020), 7% of marriage and family counselors, and 11% of professional counselors are reported to be Black. This limits the options for many African American families and individuals seeking black providers.
Stigma and Cultural Barriers: Mental health issues are often stigmatized within the African American community, leading to reluctance to seek Cultural beliefs about strength and resilience, along with spiritual bypassing, can sometimes discourage open discussions about mental health struggles.
Economic Disparities: Financial barriers can limit access to mental health resources, including therapy and counseling. Families struggling with economic hardship may prioritize other needs over mental health care, such as uninsured families or those living below the poverty line.

Despite these challenges, the African American Wellness Project (AAWP) a national nonprofit that works to address health disparities in the African American community, would like to share several strategies that can help African American youth maintain their mental well-being during the summer months:

Create a Routine: Establishing a daily routine can provide structure and a sense of normalcy. Incorporate activities that promote mental health, such as exercise, hobbies, journaling, and regular sleep patterns.
Stay Connected: Encourage teens to stay in touch with supportive friends, family members, or This generation often uses platforms such as Twitch, Discord, and Instagram Live for group communications, which can be helpful if used appropriately. While teens need to stay connected, parents should be mindful of their actions and who they interact with online to ensure a safe and healthy digital environment.
Engage in Community Programs and Events Engage in Community Programs: Teens can join summer camps, such as the MNCPPC Parks and Recreation Program, or find summer employment through the DC Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) or Prince George’s County Summer Youth Enrichment Program (PG SYEP). Participating in these programs can increase their feelings of accomplishment and provide structured, supportive environments. Additionally, finding summer sports teams, public pools, or recreation centers can offer safe spaces for teens to engage in positive activities and build supportive relationships.
Encourage Creative Expression: Parents can encourage their teens to try new hobbies, use art as a way of expressing their emotions, write songs, attempt TikTok viral dances, and explore other activities that promote creative These creative outlets can be therapeutic for expressing feelings and coping with stress.
Promote Physical Activity: Regular physical activity can significantly impact mental health. Encourage outdoor activities like walking, biking, or playing sports, offering opportunities to enjoy nature and fresh air.
Foster Open Communication: Create an environment where teens feel safe discussing their feelings and challenges. Active listening and empathetic conversations can help them feel heard and supported.

This summer is a great time to explore post-pandemic activities, spread awareness about mental health disparities, and spend quality time learning and exploring with your teen while staying safe. By recognizing and addressing the mental health needs of African American youth, we can ensure these young individuals have the resources and support they need to thrive. Let’s work together to create a mentally healthy summer for all youth and to keep kids safe and supported. You can also check out AAWP’s mental health tools and resources here.

Connect With AAWP

Facebook: @AfricanAmericanWellnessProject

Twitter: @TheAAWP
Instagram: @ AfricanAmericanWellnessProject
YouTube: @AfricanAmericanWellnessProject

Miana Bryant, LMSW, LGSW is the Director of The Mental Elephant Incorporated and an AAWP advisory board member

The post Post-Pandemic Summer: Ensuring Mental Wellness for African American Teens first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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NFL: Week Two Recap | Jalen Hurts did not fold; Caleb Williams exits game with injury

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts found Darius Cooper with nine seconds left for the game winning touchdown as his team beat the Tennessee Titans 24-20 in Nashville. Hurts finished the day 26/37 for 264 yards. He threw for two touchdowns and two interceptions. Prior to the final drive, the Eagles ran 25 plays for 45 […]
The post NFL: Week Two Recap | Jalen Hurts did not fold; Caleb Williams exits game with injury appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

1 week ago

September 20, 2026

Oakland Post

Prior to the final drive, the Eagles ran 25 plays for 45 yards. During the final drive Hurts went 6-8 with 61 passing yards and the touchdown. Titans defensive tackle — and team captain — Jeffery Simmons said this week that the way to defend Jalen Hurts is to make him “play quarterback.”

Hurts said to Simmons after today’s game: “You started that sh**. I had to finish it.”

Running back Saquon Barkley suffered a stinger in the first half but he ultimately finished the game. He had four carries and nine yards and one catch for eleven yards. He will get an MRI for his injury, but admitted to Cameron Wolfe of the NFL Network he was fine.

Caleb Williams leaves game against Vikings with apparent lower-body injury

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was helped off the field with a right leg injury with 7:42 remaining in the fourth quarter. Williams was down, writhing in pain after scrambling to his left. After departing the injury tent, Williams raised his right fist, acknowledging the crowd while expressing his frustration. Testing will commence on Monday to find out more details about his injury.

“We’ll know tomorrow,” Johnson admitted regarding Williams’ injury. “He’s in good spirits. He’s a team player.”

Williams finished the day with 138 passing yards and one interception.

“I’m actually happy it’s nothing with the knee — that was my first inclination,” Johnson said. “But, a hamstring could be pretty damaging as well. So, we’ll see. We’ll see how bad it is tomorrow and we’ll go from there.”

Bryce Young once again dominated the Falcons

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young is 5-1 against the Atlanta Falcons and is undefeated at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Today, Young threw for 287 yards and three touchdowns as he led the Panthers to a 34-3 dismembering of the Atlanta Falcons. Georgia Tech alumnus Darren Waller caught two touchdowns and linebacker Devin Lloyd returned one of his two interceptions for a touchdown.

Cooper Rush started his second straight game for the Falcons and it did not go well. The partisan crowd voiced their displeasure after Rush completed 10/17 passes for 86 yards and two interceptions. Jack Strand entered the game for Rush prompting cheers from the Falcons fans. The rookie threw a pick-six on his first career pass attempt. Strand was the first QB to accomplish that feat since Sam Darnold in 2018 and is the first Falcons player to do that since Brett Favre in 1991. Strand finished the day with 59 passing yards and 16 rushing yards.

According to reports, quarterback Michael Penix, Jr. is expected to make his season debut this Thursday at the Green Bay Packers. His return should help the Falcons. They are the first team since the 2008 Rams to not run any plays in the red zone after the first two games to open a season.

The bright spots for the Falcons today were the Spelman College Jaguarettes performing with the Falcons cheerleaders and Florida A&M’s marching band, The Marching 100, also performed during halftime!

Jayden Daniels gets carted off after apparent arm injury

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels appeared to injure his left elbow on the final play of the first half in his game against the Dallas Cowboys. During the play, Daniels got stepped on, braced himself for the fall, and his elbow bent the wrong way. Daniels draped a towel over his head as he exited the field on the cart.

He was later ruled out.

Daniels suffered a dislocated elbow to the same arm during week nine of last season against the Washington Commanders, which led to him being shut down for the remainder of the season.

The post NFL: Week Two Recap | Jalen Hurts did not fold; Caleb Williams exits game with injury appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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The Complete Negotiation Framework — Every Stage, Every Tactic, Every Win

Master the complete vehicle-purchase negotiation framework with Roosevelt Gist and Roosevelt. Learn every stage, tactic, and win!
The post The Complete Negotiation Framework — Every Stage, Every Tactic, Every Win appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

1 week ago

September 20, 2026

Oakland Post

Negotiation framework stages, tactics, and winning strategies from AutoNetwork

Roosevelt Gist and Roosevelt deliver the complete vehicle-purchase negotiation framework in Episode 8 of The Color of Our Money Is Green. This episode covers the three foundations of every effective negotiation, the full seven-stage negotiation sequence with exact language for every stage, and five of the most common dealership tactics with the specific response each one requires.
What You Learn in This Episode:
The three foundations that make every negotiation tactic work
The complete seven-stage car-buying negotiation sequence
Exact language for every stage of the dealership conversation
Five common dealership tactics — the turnover, the four-square, the packed payment, spot delivery, and forced add-ons — and how to counter each one
Why signing preliminary paperwork isn’t the same as signing the final contract
___________________________________________________________________
“The Color of Our Money Is Green: A Buyer’s Guide to What Cars Actually Cost” — stan.store/RGist
____________________________________________________________________
AutoNetwork helps serious car shoppers inspect any new vehicle online before walking into a dealership. I’m Roosevelt — I’ve been reviewing cars and shaping digital car buying and credit union auto leasing since before YouTube car reviews existed.
You’ll find detailed walkaround reviews, POV test drives, and buyer-focused breakdowns covering comfort, space, features, and real-world value.

How to use the channel:
Watch the walkaround of the car you’re considering
Visit AutoNetwork.com for the full review
Check CouponsOffersAndDeals.com for current dealer specials
Walk in already knowing what you want — and what it should cost

AutoNetwork.com
CouponsOffersAndDeals.com
Affiliate disclosure: some links earn a small commission at no cost to you and help support the channel. Insta360 is one of those partners.

The post The Complete Negotiation Framework — Every Stage, Every Tactic, Every Win appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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Mazda CX-90 Luxury: Heated Seats & Premium Comfort! #shorts

Stay toasty in the CX-90! Plush Nappa leather, heated/ventilated seats, and a memory-equipped heated steering wheel deliver ultimate luxury.
The post Mazda CX-90 Luxury: Heated Seats & Premium Comfort! #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

1 week ago

September 20, 2026

Oakland Post

Mazda CX-90 interior with heated seats offering premium comfort.

Experience ultimate comfort in the CX-90. Nappa leather, heated/ventilated seats, 8-way power adjustments, and memory settings for both front passengers. The heated steering wheel with memory tilt/telescope adds premium convenience.

Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/EH5A4eQ4ipY