Community care means looking out for one another. It is a way of thinking that ties the well-being of the individual to the well-being of others. It has existed in communities of color for generations. It’s about connection, showing up for one another, and taking intentional action to help others.
How community care impacts mental health
Not everyone has the same access to steady work, strong schools, safe places to live, or quality healthcare. This is not because of personal choice. Systems haven’t served everyone equally and fairly. This is where community care can step in.
Community care brings people together to share resources, offer support, and find new ways to care for each other in a welcoming environment. These factors are tied to improved recovery from mental health conditions and overall well-being. Community care can also help people find purpose and meaning as they care for others.
When we look out for each other, we all do better.
Examples of community care
Peer support
A peer is someone who shares the experience of living with a mental health condition or substance use disorder. Peer services are based on the idea that people who have shared experiences can help themselves and each other. Having a peer to talk to can help people feel more engaged in their mental health care. It is important to note that some peer support settings do not take into account aspects of shared identity like race and ethnicity.
Examples:
Peers work in many different settings. Some examples of peer support include the Fireweed Collective and Peer Support Space.
Community health workers
A community health worker is a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of the community they serve. Community health workers help connect communities and the health care system by providing health education, resources, and support. These services are often covered by Medicaid.
Examples:
Community health workers may hold various titles, including community health advisor, outreach worker, patient navigator, and promotores de salud (health promoters). They are in community-based organizations, healthcare agencies, faith-based groups, and other settings. One of the earliest examples of community health workers were “barefoot doctors” in China. They were peers trained to provide primary care in rural Chinese communities.
Mutual aid
Mutual aid is an exchange of resources and services that benefits both the giver and the recipient. It shows that our survival depends on cooperation, not competition.
Examples:
One early mutual aid group was the Free African Society, which helped newly freed Black Americans. Another was the Black Panthers, which provided free breakfast for children. Current examples include the Okra Project, the Homies Empowerment Freedom Store, and Freedge.
Healing circles / Talking circles / Peacemaking circles
Healing circles, talking circles, and peacemaking circles are all practices rooted in Indigenous and Native American traditions that bring people together to support one another. Healing circles often acknowledge the impact of racial trauma and give people of color space to reflect on how harmful experiences may affect their well-being.
Examples:
Circle practices include a variety of activities, such as sharing personal experiences, breathing exercises, chanting, and group prayer.
Community healing / Healing justice
Community healing, or healing justice, is an approach used to respond to unfair treatment that certain communities have experienced over many generations. It focuses on building community-led responses to this trauma and was created to sustain emotional, physical, spiritual, and environmental well-being.
The term “community healing” or “healing justice” was coined by Cara Page and the Kindred Healing Justice Collective. The movement was created by queer and trans people of color, Black and brown femmes, and their allies.
Examples:
Practices like collective art, rituals, altar-building, and energy healing are part of healing justice. It can involve community mental health workshops, training police-de-escalators/liaisons, or facilitating conflict mediation.
Community healing/healing justice practices adapt to meet the needs of the community served. Examples of organizations focused on healing justice include BEAM Collective, La Cura podcast, and Project South.
Doulas / Midwives
Doulas and midwives are trained professionals who provide holistic support through pregnancy and birth. They play an important role for people who are more likely to face serious health problems during pregnancy and birth. Research shows that Black, American Indian, and Alaska Native women are more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women.
Studies have found that doulas and midwives can help lower the chances of the birth-giver having a C-section, improve the baby’s birth weight, and make birth safer with fewer complications. Doulas can also help people feel less scared, less lonely, and more confident. This support can make a big difference for mental health by helping people feel calm, cared for, and strong.
Examples:
There are many organizations dedicated to improving access to doulas and midwives. Examples include Sista Midwife Production, Asian Birth Collective, Center for Indigenous Midwifery, La Luna Doula, National Black Doulas Association, and National Association of Certified Professional Midwives.
Take a mental health test
If you or a friend are struggling with your mental health, take an anonymous, free, and private mental health test. It only takes a few minutes, and after you are finished, you will be given information about the next steps you can take based on the results.
