Dot and Cross
We're the mental health charity reversing stigmas in underserved black and brown communities. Together, we will make mental health care and wellness more accessible and culturally competent.
Mission
Dot & Cross aims to support Black and Brown men, women and children with the following culturally competent initiatives to improve the quality of life for their communities:
- free / affordable mental health care
- safe spaces
- wellness education
- prescription assistance
- food system reform ( food apartheid / food swamp )
- community development
- cultural heritage programs
It currently operates as a combined effort of organizations that engage in direct advocacy with policymakers and raise public awareness about the importance of social innovation and culturally competent policy programs.
Because of your support, we are confident that future generations will be less ashamed to address the stigma of mental health.
Together, we will raise awareness to improve the quality of life within these communities while empowering them to lead healthier and more impactful lives.
Facts
Higher Prevalence
Adult Black / African Americans are 20% more likely to report serious psychological distress, like major depression or "P.T.S.D.", than white adults.
Many experts point to high rates of poverty, due to historical racism and income inequality, as a major contributor to mental illness and distress in black communities.
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Less likely to receive care:
As of 2021, among those with mental illness, 48% of Whites are receiving the services they need compared to 31% of Blacks.
While the Affordable Care Act has helped to close the gap in uninsured individuals, 11.5 percent of Black and African Americans, versus 7.5 percent of white Americans were still uninsured in 2018.
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Microaggressions & mental health:
Higher frequencies of racial microaggressions, racial gaslighting, and racially-charged passive aggressive environments negatively impact mental health and racial microaggressions are significantly correlated with anxiety and depression.
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Disparities in care quality:
Black / African Americans often receive poorer quality of care and lack access to culturally competent care. Compared with the general population, Black people are less likely to be offered either evidence-based medication therapy or psychotherapy.
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More likely to attempt suicide:
Black/African American teenagers are more likely to attempt suicide than are white teenagers (8.3 percent v. 6.2 percent).
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Barriers to entry for people of color:
- Stigma
- Distrust of the healthcare system
- Lack of diverse providers
- Lack of culturally competent providers
- Lack of insurance or under-insurance
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More Facts
1 in 4
Mental health disorders will affect 1 in 4 people at some point in their lives. But, less than 40% will ever seek help for their symptoms.
And of those that do, it takes an average of 10 years to access quality treatment.
13.4%
The percentage of the U.S. population who identifies as Black or African American is just under 14%.
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134 million people live in a designated Mental Health Professional Shortage Area.
17%
Within the Black or African American population, 17.3% reported having mental illness in 2021. That is over 7 million people.
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55% of U.S. counties do not have a single practicing psychiatrist.
971M+
13% of the global population – some 971 million people – suffer from some kind of mental disorder. More than 50% will be diagnosed at some point in their lifetime, while the remaining won't have access to quality information, or support.
Future
Community Design
Studies show, Black and Brown communities are disproportionately affected by the lack of access to mental health care resources. Now more than ever, it is necessary to build safe spaces and community hubs that reinforce sanctuary, wellness, healthy dieting, community development and impactful opportunities within these communities.
Resources = Recovery
46% of Black adults say they are experiencing more stress and mental health challenges, but just 21% say they have received treatment or care of any kind for their mental health. With your help, we can make those resources more accessible, decrease suffering and increase rates of recovery when symptoms first start, rather than decades down the line.
Ever Evolving
Community contributions improve the quality of life for Black and Brown communities and fund initiatives like mental health care access, education, grant-making, wellness tools, educational programs on the full spectrum of conditions/resources, awareness campaigns, policy reform and more.
Donate!
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We’d love to talk to you!
We're looking for creatives, mental health professionals, advocates, OG's, historians, and volunteers to help fuel our mission. All are welcome.
