Black Mental Health Response Team at BestSelf

07/30/2025

✂️💈 Today’s the Day! 💈✂️
Need a shape-up or a fresh new look? Come through to the BestSelf Recovery Community today,
Wednesday, July 30 from 3:00–7:00 PM
for FREE haircuts provided by Haircuts for Those in Need! 🙌🏾

This is more than a haircut; it’s an act of dignity, love, and care for our community!
📍 69 Linwood Ave., Buffalo, NY 14209
🕒 First come, first served!

07/29/2025

07/29/2025

Meet our team at the Black Mental Health Resource Team (BMHRT) as they share how they care for their own mental wellness—and offer tips to support yours.

Next up is Sterling James, a community advocate on the BMHRT. Watch as he shares how he maintains a routine to take care of his mental health, how he consistenly helps local youth prioritize their mental wellness. If you need services today, reach out to the BMHRT at 716-710-5151 option 2.

Materials developed through Cooperative Agreement and in partnership with the NYS Office of Mental Health.

07/28/2025

This Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re sharing why some of our BestSelf team members chose this field. 💚

Next up is Venus Wiggins, a Counselor at Franklin: "(I chose this field) to provide evidenced-base treatment to minorities who look like me. To help them with overcome mental health and chemical dependency issues. To increase their confidence and self-efficacy and to let them know that 'Lost dreams awaken and new possibilities arise through recovery.' I would encourage (people in my community) to seek out help when they notice a depressed, anxious and/or mood change in their behavior. I would also encourage them to reach out to trusted family members and confidants."

07/21/2025

This Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re sharing why some of our BestSelf team members chose this field. 💚

Next up is George Baba Eng, a Case Manager: "I believe that unresolved traumas can lead to developmental challenges that often appear as mental health conditions. Where that trauma stems from or the reasoning or rationale for it doesn't matter. What matters is that the person is unable to address his or her issues through what is deemed normal socialization. I believe therefore that as a society it becomes our duty to offer a more intense and higher level of care for people who have this kind of challenge in their life. I would ask my community to be more conscious of the complexities of trauma that we, just being human, are subjected to and do all we can to help each other become our best selves."

07/21/2025

What an impactful weekend! BestSelf’s Black Mental Health Response Team (BMHRT) presented “Bright Futures, Black Youth: Breaking the Silence on Suicide,” a vital community education forum. We were honored to host Dr. Arielle Sheftall of the University of Rochester, whose expertise helped us address the critical disparities in suicidal behavior affecting Black youth.

The event was powered by the Office of Mental Health ReCAST/ReImagine: "I am the change." Most importantly, we allowed young people to share their experiences and perspectives on mental health and support.

We extend our sincere gratitude to our invaluable partners: Oswaldo Maestre and Michael T.A. Smith from the The City Of Buffalo’s Office of Citizen Services, YouthBuild at the Foundry, and Mental Health Clinician and Pastor Edward Jackson of Friendship Baptist Buffalo. Your collaboration was instrumental in bringing this event to fruition. And thank you to all the dedicated community leaders and members who attended and contributed to a day of significant community impact!

To learn more about Dr. Sheftall's work: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/labs/sheftall

To learn more about the BMHRT or to get connected with services, visit www.bestselfwny.org

07/16/2025

This Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re sharing why some of our BestSelf team members chose this field. 💚

Next up is Mona Lisa McEachin, Assistant Program Director at the Recovery Community: "I didn’t choose this work, it chose me. I got into this work because I’ve lived the pain that gets overlooked. After battling addiction, surviving incarceration, and navigating systems not built for people like me, I found purpose through healing. Peer support saved my life and now I offer that same hope to others. I show up every day because our Black mental health matters, and our stories deserve to be heard. Please don’t suffer in silence. You are not broken, your pain is a real response to a world that hasn’t always seen you, valued you, or treated you fairly. But you still matter. Your mind, your heart, your healing, it all matters. Mental health is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. You deserve to be supported, to be safe, and to be whole. Keep showing up for yourself. Your healing is sacred, and you don’t have to walk this road alone!"

Materials developed through Cooperative Agreement and in partnership with the NYS Office of Mental Health.

07/15/2025

If you're feeling overwhelmed, here are simple ways to manage daily stress:

💤 Prioritize self-care by putting sleep, balanced meals, hydration, and movement first — these habits fuel your body and mind, making it easier to cope with daily challenges.

🧘‍♀️ Try stress relief techniques such as deep breathing, mindfulness, or journaling — these techniques help calm your nervous system and provide mental clarity.

✅ Stay organized and prioritize with lists and realistic goals — this reduces feelings of heightened emotions and helps you stay focused and productive.

💬 Strengthen your support systems by leaning on friends, family, or a professional — having someone to talk to can ease anxiety and remind you that you’re not alone.

📵 Create healthy boundaries — limiting screen time and protecting your personal time gives your mind the space it needs to recharge.

Small steps can make a big impact on your mental well-being.

Materials developed through Cooperative Agreement and in partnership with the NYS Office of Mental Health.

07/07/2025

This Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re sharing why some of our BestSelf team members chose this field. 💚

First up is Danetta McKinnon, Program Assistant at Hope House Housing: "After a tragic incident & having to take care of my own mental health, I have chosen this profession to give back to the community. As a minority, it is a mission/passion of mine to nullify the stigma regarding minority mental health for us to be the BEST we can be for ourselves & the community. Mental health is essential to our overall health. Seeking counseling for expression to overcome tragedy, grief, depression and more is essentially beneficial to our holistic wellbeing. It's O.K. to not be O.K. but seek the help for a better you. We have to be Kind to ourselves, Mind, Body & Soul."

Materials developed through Cooperative Agreement and in partnership with the NYS Office of Mental Health.

07/02/2025

We had a great time at the first Buffalo Funk Fest of the summer! 🎶

It was awesome meeting everyone and sharing more about the services and support we offer. Thanks to everyone who stopped by!

If you need services, call us today at 716-710-5151, option 2

07/01/2025

Meet our team at the Black Mental Health Resource Team (BMHRT) as they share how they care for their own mental wellness—and offer tips to support yours.

Next up is Natasha Law, a counselor on the BMHRT. Watch as she shares how she calms her nervous system and explains why it's critical to prioritize your mental wellbeing.

Materials developed through Cooperative Agreement and in partnership with the NYS Office of Mental Health. BestSelf Behavioral Health