Tulsa Woman Provides Mental Health Services To People Affected By Racial Injustice

One local advocate is making sure the black community has access to mental health services so that present racial issues don't turn into future illness.

In a time of protests, riots, and painful topics Mental Health Advocate Carmen Janka says words are turning into violent weapons.​

"You don't always have to be assaulted with a hand or an object you can be assaulted by words, you can be assaulted by actions of someone who doesn't understand you, or who misinterprets who you are," Janka said. ​

Janka says if people don't address their trauma it can form into anxiety disorder or diabetes.

"All those things are going inside of our bodies because of the buffeting of words and actions inside of systemic racism," Janak explained to News on 6.

That's why she launched a campaign this week called "My Black Mental Health Matters," as well as leading virtual support groups with the Oklahoma Mental Health Association.​ CEO Terri White says their virtual support groups have started powerful conversations.​

"We're coming in from the hundredth anniversary of the Tulsa race massacre the racial and social injustice tests the loss of Tulsa law enforcement officers," says White, "with all of those things together this is a credibly important time for people to know where to reach out trying to cope with all of that." ​

Janka says healing involves everyone. ​"We need your help and your support to raise the level of visibility around this crucially important topic of mental health," said Janka. ​

The virtual support group meets every Monday from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. You can Click HERE for the link.

For information on #MyBlackMentalHealthMatters Campaign, you can click HERE