Why Intersectional Well-Being Should Always Be Prioritized
This interview originally appeared in the Winter 2022 issue of Tracy Anderson Magazine, available now for digital download and print orders.
There’s power in healing—a truth The Loveland Foundation whole-heartedly promotes. The organization, which was started by Rachel Cargle in 2018, provides free therapy sessions and wellness resources to Black women and girls nationwide. Two years after its birth, we partnered up with The Loveland Foundation to offer those same participants at-home workout programming to help with their healing journeys.
In an effort to continue spreading the word about this amazing organization, which recently debuted The Unfolding Presented by The Loveland Foundation podcast, we spoke with Hannah Tall, Director of Programs at The Loveland Foundation, to learn more about their plans for the future as well as how everyone can support the cause.
We’d love for you to summarize The Loveland Foundation’s mission for those being introduced to your organization for the first time.
HT: The Loveland Foundation is committed to showing up for communities of color in unique and powerful ways with a particular focus on Black women and girls. Our resources and initiatives are collaborative, and they prioritize opportunity, access, validation, and healing.
The Loveland Foundation was established in 2018 by Rachel Cargle following her widely successful birthday wish fundraiser, Therapy for Black Women and Girls. Her enthusiastic and generous social media community raised over $250,000, which made it possible for the foundation to provide over 600 hours worth of therapy sessions at no cost. Since then, The Loveland Foundation has provided over 20,000 hours of therapy sessions to Black women and girls across the country.
How are you ensuring that individual mental health gaps for Black women and girls continue to shrink?
HT: With the barriers affecting access to treatment by members of diverse ethnic and racial groups. The Loveland Therapy Fund provides financial assistance to Black women and girls nationally seeking therapy. Through our partnerships with the therapy directory search platforms Therapy for Black Girls, National Queer & Trans Therapists of Color Network, Talkspace, Black Female Therapists, Psychology Today and Open Path Collective, Loveland Therapy Fund recipients will have access to a comprehensive list of mental health professionals across the country providing high quality, culturally competent services to Black women and girls.
With therapy sessions costing an average of $80-$200 per session, we have selected the previous options to increase the likelihood that participants are able to financially afford therapy after the end of the 4-12 sessions supported by The Loveland Foundation’s Therapy Fund.
What can people do in their respective communities to promote the importance of mental health?
HT: We like to approach mental wellness holistically. Therapy is part of a larger wellness toolbox, and we encourage folks to find additional tools that may support their mental, physical, spiritual, emotional well-being, and that of their loved ones. That may look like working out, still or movement-based meditation, art, etc. But it’s really important that folks remember to be patient with themselves as they work to find the tools that can be most supportive to them, or alongside loved ones, in their mental health and overall wellness practice.
As you reflect on 2021, what was the biggest learning for your organization and where does that inspire you to go in the new year?
HT: 2021 helped us expand to offer holistic wellness resources for both our Therapy Fund recipients and the amazing network of therapists who support them. Roughly 17% of therapists in the U.S. are BIPOC. That number dips to a single digit (roughly 3% according to the APA) for Black therapists. The lack of therapists of color coupled with the increased demand for mental health services these last two years has resulted in mental health workers experiencing burnout. We are extremely happy that we were able to start rolling out professional development for our therapist network this year. In 2022, we will be providing an array of professional and personal development resources and spaces to BIPOC therapists.
Where can you see your partnerships taking your efforts into the new year?
HT: Our partnerships will help us serve more Black women and girls, and mental health professionals in the new year. We provide therapy support to 5,000 Black women and girls annually. We hope our partnerships can help us sustain and grow our impact for therapy seekers, and the next iteration of our work, supporting therapists with professional development and curated events and resources.
How do you lead by example with mental health practices within your company culture?
HT: We are preparing for our seasonal winter rest for a few weeks and are making sure there is space for restoration throughout our year. So we can, individually and collectively, show up in this work moving from our overflow, after we’ve poured into and nourished ourselves.
4 WAYS TO SUPPORT
1. CHAMPION THE CAUSE
Spread the word by sharing more information with your Facebook and Instagram followers.
2. DONATE
The Loveland Foundation aims to provide 5,000 women annually with 12 free therapy sessions. Visit thelovelandfoundation.org to learn more and donate.
3. START A GIVING CIRCLE
If six loved ones contribute $20 each, the total ($120) will be enough for one therapy session.
4. LEVERAGE YOUR EMPLOYER’S DONATION
Does your employer offer donation matching? Ask them about doubling your contribution.
