Barber David Rankin talks about the importance of Black men’s mental health and how barbershops create a safe space to vent and connect. — By De’Anna Johns David Rankin is a barber and a community leader advocating for mental health in New Orleans. He’s passionate, funny and easy-to-talk to — essential traits in his line of work. Rankin began cutting hair at age 17 as a way to earn extra cash. Now 34, he owns a small…

Dr. David Wallace opened Dream House Lounge as a zero-proof hub for mental wellness and spirituality in New Orleans. In this photo essay, Fellow Mandy Ortiz explores Wallace’s story and his work. — By Mandy Ortiz Last Mardi Gras, I sat and talked with a man outside of Parkway Bar and Tavern. The man had grown up right around the corner from the Mid-City poboy shop and I had just moved to New Orleans the year prior. He explained to me how he’d seen a lot…

Fellow Nia Woodside reflects on growing up in New Orleans and local mental health care needs. — By Nia Woodside I grew up in a quiet suburb on the West Bank of Jefferson Parish and went to high school at a predominantly white private school in New Orleans. My school was on St. Charles Avenue, walking distance from the bustling Mardi Gras parade route and a short drive from French…

Some of our favorite artists contribute to how we feel without us knowing. Fellow Sky Stephens chose to curate her listening for better mental health. — By Skylar Stephens When I heard “Normal Girl” by SZA, I really liked it. I felt like in that song SZA doesn’t see herself meeting the beauty standards that society has set and wishes to be desirable. At the time that she dropped this album, I was a black girl attending a predominantly…

Black barbers are often a source of support and well-being for Black men. Can barbershops serve as access points for mental health care in New Orleans? — By Nia Woodside How do barber shops help Black men talk about mental health? We sat in on a conversation between barber David Rankin and his long-term friend turned client Keith Bryant to learn more. …

VOTE’s Ronald Marshall explains the relationship between mental health and incarceration, and why he’s fighting for better care for incarcerated people. — By Aretha McKinney In November, I met with Voice of the Experienced Policy Analyst Ronald Marshall and Communications Director Anisha Shetty to talk about the relationship between incarceration and mental health and the organization’s efforts to improve mental health care for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people in Louisiana.

Creative paris cyan cian launched #MYBODYPOETRYIS to provide a healing space for people in New Orleans to gather, dance and celebrate physical and mental wellness. — By Kila Moore Last month, I sat down with New Orleans native and local creative paris cyan cian to learn more about their personal journey with dance and the inspiration behind using motion as a mental health practice. cian is founder of BODYPOETRY, a curated event series they describe as a healing space…

The Brightside Therapy Collective’s Dr. Elise Johns shares her perspective on mental health in New Orleans and what the future of care looks like. — By Nia Woodside Ever since Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans on August 29, 2005, the city’s health care system has struggled to replenish its pre-storm capacity to satisfy the demands of returning residents. The issue of subpar mental health resources dates back further than 2005, but the closure of the city’s biggest psychiatric…

Last year, Sky Stephens turned 18, moved across the country, evacuated from her first hurricane and recovered from Covid. Here’s what she learned about mental health along the way. — By Skylar Stephens Last spring, I graduated high school, turned 18 and moved 1,000 miles from Canton, Ohio, my hometown, to New Orleans. I had never lived outside of Canton or apart from my family. I grew up with the support of my parents and older brother (that’s a photo of 1-year-old me…