Founded by pioneering psychologist Dr. Alfiee Breland-Noble (recognized in 2024 by Melinda French Gates as a World Leader in the area of mental health for marginalized populations) The AAKOMA Project envisions a world where EVERY child, teen and young adult inclusive of all points of diversity feels the freedom to live unapologetically and authentically within an environment that allows them to rise and thrive. Our mission is to build the consciousness of intersectional Youth of Color and their caregivers on the recognition and importance of mental health, empower youth and their families to seek help and manage mental health and influence systems and services to receive and address the needs of Youth of Color and their families. We believe that to meet the mental health needs of Youth of Color, we need to operate at three levels - Raising Consciousness among individuals, Empowering People via providing accessible tools for ongoing management, and Changing Systems to receive youth and provide better care. The AAKOMA Project leverages a multifaceted approach to address the unmet mental health needs of Youth of Color and is designed for - not adapted to - the mental health & wellness needs of intersectional (including LGBTQ + Disabled) Youth of Color. We run programs based on 25+ years of academic and clinical research focused on Youth of Color and integrate our programming with research to actively build the evidence base on “what works” for Youth of Color. AAKOMA works with youth, communities, and systems to create lasting impact across all three levels and not just respond to crises. We seek to build capacities within both individuals and unjust systems – giving individuals and their families the ability to seek out, assess, and choose their own mental health and wellness care.
External link for The AAKOMA Project, Inc.
4201 Wilson Blvd
FL 3
Arlington, Virginia 22203, US
Yesterday, we shared a fantastic video about stigmas featuring Team AAKOMA member, Nima. Her video brought about a couple of myths that we're eager to squash. Go back and watch her video to learn more. In the meantime, we'd love to hear from you by answering the short poll below.
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Myth: “Mental Health is a western concept.” Nima Gurung kicks off our first “Mind over Myths” post by breaking down stigmas during her beauty routine! Stigma surrounding mental health often leads to shame, disgrace, silence, and avoidance, further complicated by cultural factors and historical trauma. These factors often make it difficult for many People of Color to seek the help they need. As Nima explains in her video, research shows that racial minorities, including Asian Americans, African Americans, and Native Americans, often experience heightened stigma towards mental health. Common misconceptions include the belief that mental health issues are a Western concept, bring shame to the family, or view those with mental illnesses as dangerous or weak. We’re grateful to Team AAKOMA member Nima Gurung for sharing her insights and tips to get the best-looking lashes, while emphasizing the importance of breaking these harmful stereotypes. Especially during PoC Mental Health Awareness Month, we believe it’s time to open up these conversations and support each other in fostering a more understanding and inclusive community. Let’s break the silence, challenge the stigma, and support mental health for People of Color. Watch the full video with Nima and drop a comment telling us what your experience has been with mental health stigmas!
As we continue our celebration of POC Mental Health Month, we’re thrilled to share a special message from our founder, Dr Alfiee Breland-Noble! Watch the video to answer the question: "Why do we say POC Mental Health Month?" Dr. Alfiee also introduces our "Mind Over Myth" campaign! Stay tuned as we share facts, shatter myths, and debunk misconceptions about mental health in communities that identify as marginalized. Lastly, we have a HUGE announcement coming up on July 25th to share how we're working with one of our favorite partners . Trust us, you don’t want to miss this incredibly opportunity to win!
Today, on Non-Binary People’s Day, we honor and celebrate the vibrant voices and invaluable contributions of Nonbinary People of Color. In a world that often tries to confine us within narrow boxes, we rise above, defying societal norms and embracing our authentic selves. As People of Color, we intimately understand the intersections of identity and the vital importance of inclusivity. Today and everyday, let’s commit to amplifying the narratives of non-binary People of Color, showcasing their strength, resilience, and unique perspectives.
July is Disability Pride Month, a time to honor the history, achievements, experiences, and struggles of the disability community. This month marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a landmark legislation passed on July 26, 1990, that broke down barriers to inclusion in society. Disability Pride is about celebrating uniqueness and contributions while advocating for inclusion and accessibility. It’s a movement to dismantle ableism, challenge stereotypes, and fight for equal rights and opportunities, including those related to mental health. AAKOMA encourages everyone to: 📚Self-Educate: Start by learning about the challenges faced by the disability community. Read books, watch documentaries, and follow social media accounts that share the perspectives and experiences of Disabled individuals. 📢Amplify Disabled Voices: Give Disabled people platforms to share their experiences and knowledge. Feature Disabled writers, invite speakers, and share their content. 🦽Prioritize Accessibility: Ensure all spaces, physical and virtual, are accessible. This includes ramps, sign language interpretation, closed captioning, and screen reader-friendly websites. 👩🏾🦯Advocate Alongside the Disabled Community: Use your voice to call out discrimination, push for protective laws, and amplify the voices of Disabled people. Join us in celebrating Disability Pride Month by standing together for a fair, inclusive, and accessible world for all!
Sending a big thank you to Rickexpress for this beautiful reminder that the peace of getting outdoors and enjoying nature is free. If you’re looking for ways to improve your mood and attention and lower your stress, you should definitely consider working some time outside into your day. Let’s all follow RickExpress’ (@RickExpress on FB and IG) lead and get outside this weekend!
At least half of the Youth of Color that contributed to our State of Mental Health for Youth and Young Adults of Color study reported experiencing moderate to severe depression or anxiety. In honor of PoC Mental Health Awareness month, let’s commit to positively impacting these stats. Addressing depression among Youth and Young Adults of Color requires a comprehensive and culturally sensitive approach. By incorporating cultural affirmation, competent therapy, holistic self-care practices, empowerment through identity exploration, and community engagement, we can create a more tailored and effective approach to supporting mental well-being within our young People of Color. Visit our website to read the full AAKOMA State of Mental Health for Youth of Color 2023 report. https://buff.ly/4cCTGHz
“Work hard, push through, and don’t let anyone stop you from dreaming!” Jordan is definitely dropping gems for us in this #MondayMotivation video! Thanks for the Monday reminder that we can persevere through the week ahead, Jordan! Be sure to follow @jordandropsgems on Instagram to keep your motivation in check with encouraging messages to kick off your week.
On the heels of the announcement of the Surgeon General’s call for warning labels on social media platforms, we’re sharing more reasons why we support this. The alarming but true stats in this post were discovered and published in our “Representation Matters: Exploring Social Media Experiences and Mental Health of Youth and Young Adults of Color” Brief. We encourage you to read the brief for yourself and share it. Together, we can spread the word and take action to help address concerns about underrepresentation and its consequences. Click the link below to access the brief. https://lnkd.in/eTiuS78A