Honoring Martin Luther King Jr. Day: What It Means for Your Mental Health
Photo by Dan Meyers on Unsplash
Each January, we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a leader whose message of justice and equality still inspires us today. While most of us know him for his fight for civil rights, his work also has a lot to teach us about mental health—especially for people of the global majority and for those with marginalized identities who often face barriers to care.
Mental Health and Justice: How They’re Connected
Dr. King once said, “Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health is the most shocking and inhuman.” While he was talking about physical health, those words ring just as true for mental health.
If you’ve ever felt like your mental health needs weren’t taken seriously, or if finding the right care has been a struggle, you’re not alone. People of the global majority and other marginalized identities often deal with challenges like stigma, misdiagnosis, or not seeing therapists who share or understand their experiences.
These barriers are real, but so is the hope for change. Dr. King’s legacy reminds us that mental health care isn’t just about healing—it’s about justice. You deserve access to care that understands your experiences, honors your story, and helps you thrive.
Why Your Story Matters
Your mental health is deeply connected to your life experiences. Challenges like racism, financial stress, or generational trauma can weigh on you in ways that might feel heavy or even invisible to others. Therapy isn’t just about working on what’s happening inside your head—it’s also about making sense of what’s happening in the communities and world around you.
Seeking support is a powerful step, and it’s one way to honor yourself and your journey. Healing is a form of justice, and you deserve to have a space where you can feel safe, seen, and supported.
How We Honor Dr. King in Our Work
At our practice, we believe that mental health care should be for everyone. That’s why we strive to create an experience that centers on your needs, your identity, and your goals. Here’s what that looks like:
We Listen to You: Your story, your culture, and your perspective matter. Therapy with us starts and ends with what’s most important to you.
We Create Safe Spaces: Therapy should be a place where you can fully be yourself—no fear, no judgment, just support.
We Work to Break Down Barriers: Whether it’s making therapy services more affordable or helping you navigate what you need, we’re here to make care accessible and tailored to you.
We Help You Grow: Healing is a journey, and wherever you are on that path, we’re here to walk with you every step of the way.
Taking the Next Step
Dr. King’s dream wasn’t just about changing the world—it was about empowering individuals like you to live with dignity, joy, and hope. Taking care of your mental health is one way to carry that dream forward.
If you’ve been thinking about therapy, now is a great time to take that step. Whether you’re new to therapy or just looking for a place that feels like a good fit, we’re here for you.
Let this Martin Luther King Jr. Day remind you that healing is for you. You’re worth it, and you don’t have to go through it alone.
About the Author
After spending years in a local community mental health setting and group practice in leadership positions, Tina D. Shah (PsyD, LP) decided to start Collaboration for Psychological Wellness, LLC to expand access and reduce barriers to services.