Indiana Association of Black Psychologists
SAVE THE DATE
IABPsi Annual Student Reception
Have You Heard?
Girls and women too often assume that they’re supposed to merely follow along with what their sexual partners want? This can mean that they’re not doing what THEY want, but according to the experts, sex ought to be safe, consensual, and pleasurable.
The truth of the matter is boys also get messages they may not accept, but the expectations may be different for them than for girls. Either way, having sex, or just considering it, is a topic that we don’t always talk so openly about. Especially when it comes to what we want and when.
Want To Hear More?
LISTEN to Psychologist Denise Hayes talk about SEXUAL WELLNESS on 1310TheLight. She and her invited guest psychologist James Wadley of Lincoln University, spoke to host Tina Cosby about this topic. Check out this interview.
The following month, Dr. Hayes invited psychologist and nurse Cemone Rose to her monthly radio show with Tina Cosby, where they continued the conversation. The conversation was just as lively, just as pertinent.
Speaking About the Unspeakable
Did you know:
The suicide rate for Black Americans increased by over 36% between 2011 and 2021? We found this statistic from Black People Die By Suicide Too, founded by T-Kea Blackman and Jordan Scott. This website has a wealth of resources for people considering suicide as well as their loved ones.
Recent CDC results show a spike of 53% in suicide deaths among Black Americans between 2014 and 2024? Suicide deaths among Black men between the ages of 20 and 24 are the highest of any racial/gender group. https://thelensnola.org/2026/06/24/new-cdc-data-shows-young-black-men-are-dying-by-suicide-at-higher-rates-than-young-white-men-for-the-first-time-on-record-experts-point-to-trauma-social-isolation-racism-mental-health-disparities/
IABPsi members are vigilant about Black suicide and its toll on individuals, families, and communities. Look for further information on this website about Black suicide, what psychologists are doing about it, and how to optimally address a person’s suicidal thoughts.
I Need Help: What do I Do?
It’s the question that many people ask themselves. You are not alone.
At IABPsi, we encourage people to seek help when they experience depression or stress, two very common emotions. Over the course of a lifetime, people can also experience uncontrollable rage and feelings of isolation despite the desire to connect and be with people.
We can also experience severe breaks-from-reality, like hearing voices or seeing things that others do not see.
We at IABPsi honor the work of exceptional therapists who are equipped to help you through a crisis, drawing on the best knowledge and skills at their professional disposal. To us at IABPsi, this means that the professional you choose should show an ability to embrace, explore, and validate your experiences as a Black person.
And it doesn't stop there: exceptional therapists strive to understand you holistically to offer you the best help they can. They understand that race and culture necessarily blend with other aspects of identity, like gender, where you were raised, your family circumstances, sexual orientation, and your spirituality. They make referrals or consult with other professionals as needed.
We have seen therapy work again and again. It can be a life-changer.
Click on our "Getting Better" page for guidelines in selecting the right therapist for you.
My Big, Beautiful Adventure in Boycotting
Feeling vulnerable or helpless about the changes we’re encountering in the world and about our ability to do anything about them? These feelings ostensibly overlap with day-to-day stresses and life challenges.
Instead of covering up these feelings —- with denial, overwork, substance use, or other addictive-prone behaviors —- why not take the time to learn from them?
Blogger and IABPsi Past President Chalmer Thompson offers one outlet for beating the feelings of helplessness: boycott.
In her quasi-monthly blog, she chronicles her journey of boycotting, shares insights into its highs and lows, and invites others to share theirs. Check out her blog posts below, and feel free to email her at chalmerthompson@gmail.com with a comment she can share and address in later posts. Read More
