Jasmin Pierre is the creator of The Safe Place, an award-winning app that offers free and affordable resources centering on Black mental health. Jasmin created The Safe Place for so many reasons-- because, when police respond to psychiatric emergencies and the person in crisis is black, the results can be deadly. Because of the pervasive and dangerous philosophy in many Black homes, like her own, that "what happens in this house stays in this house." Because of cultural barriers fueled by systemic racism and lack of access creating a world where there are precious few Black mental health clinicians, so Black people are stuck with providers who don't look like them, and who, invariably, do not understand their experience. Because so many Black people were brought up to not talk about it.

Well, Jasmin's talking about it. And, today, she's talking about it on Recovery Diaries in Depth with our Executive Director and host, Gabriel Nathan. Jasmin and Gabe are old friends, having met in-person at an event almost seven years ago. Their shared passion for mental health reform and revolution, and their mutual affection for each other's creativity and compassion is evident in this genuine conversation that covers so many topics, including crisis response, childhood sexual assault and abuse, the importance of rest and refueling, saying "no", and the carceral realities of inpatient psychiatric hospitalization. Jasmin's been a patient, Gabe's been staff, and their shared experience, though extremely different brings nuance and insight to this conversation.

Jasmin has been a fierce advocate for Black mental health and a source of inspiration and hope for many who have been marginalized in so many ways since the beginning of this country. In their conversation, Jasmin and Gabe talk about suicide prevention, specifically as it relates to the Black community. Jasmin speaks about the inherent media bias surrounding the recent death of Kyren Lacy, a former Louisiana State University football player and wide receiver. Lacy's death, and the media maelstrom around it show us that, while we have made improvements in mental health and suicide; for Black people in America, we still have miles and miles and miles to go before we sleep. We are so grateful to Jasmin for everything she is doing to empower, educate, help, and honor through her extraordinary advocacy. Read her powerful essay about her own trauma and childhood sexual abuse; and share her interview far and wide.

Conversations like the ones on this podcast can sometimes be hard, but they’re always necessary. If you or someone you know is struggling, please consider visiting wannatalkaboutit.com.

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