How are you holding up now that we are two years into this pandemic? I just recovered from a three-day bout of burnout. It was the culmination of working like there is no pandemic, feeling the weight of the war in Ukraine of Russia, grieving the publicized suicides of Black celebrities and shouldering personal stressors. I cleared my schedule and slept for three days. I am still resting and recovering, and am thinking about how COVID-19 impacts our work and well-being as mental health professionals. Therefore, in this issue you will find articles about the state of Black mental health professionals. COVID overwhelmed our offices and led some of you to close your practices, and others of you to expand. Some of us chose to go back to school to get an advanced degree, and others are considering it. Our writers investigated whether a doctoral degree is worth your time and money. We were interested in knowing how Black psychiatrists are holding up, and you will find their stories in this quarter’s issue. Our columns are written with you in mind. For those of you who are exhausted and burned out, you will find a review of Mary Francis-Winters’ book “Black Fatigue.” Experiencing financial anxiety, check out Mind and Money. Looking for an alternative way to make money, then Clinical Entrepreneurship introduces to you to online courses.I hope this issue of BMHT inspires you to take care of yourself. Doing race work is one of the most rewarding, challenging and exhausting parts of your career. Without you, there is no community. As Audre Lorde said, “Without community there is no liberation.”
First published in Black Mental Health Today, Spring 2022 (No. 3).