HARRISBURG, Pa. — Dozens of yoga mats were rolled out at the East Shore Library, as women from Harrisburg gathered for the 5th Annual Mind Matters Workshop.
The annual workshop is put on by Black Girl Health, an organization that promotes mental health awareness among African American women and girls.
“It’s a serious topic. Mental health isn’t talked about enough," said Porscha Grigsby, the founder of Black Girl Health. “We’re having this conversation to let people know that it’s okay to get help.”
More than a dozen women were in attendance for the workshop; participants were able to partake in a yoga session and financial course during the event.
"It shows us that people are being more aware of mental health, and they want to be able to have healthy mental health," said Ciera Dent, the mayor of Steelton Borough.
They were also offered free mental health screenings and a chance to connect to other mental health resources.
“What we’re doing to connect with the community is allowing people to start asking themselves, ‘Do I want more support,' and 'How do I go about getting it,'" said Chelsea Jones, a licensed clinical social worker with Black Girl Health.
With each session, organizers hope to get more women to have important conversations about their mental health.
“There is no shame about needing, deserving and wanting help and support," said Jones. "And, you don’t have to wait for dysfunction, or for your dysfunction, to reach a certain level before you get help.”