Juneteenth and Mental Health: A Celebration of Freedom, Healing, and Resilience

Chadea Lyttle
Jun 14
3 min read

June 2025

Each year on June 19th, we celebrate Juneteenth, a day that commemorates the emancipation of the last enslaved African Americans in 1865 — more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. It’s a day of celebration, remembrance, and, more recently, recognition as a federal holiday.

But Juneteenth isn’t just about looking back — it’s about looking within.

For many in the Black community, Juneteenth offers more than a history lesson — it’s a mental health check-in. It's a moment to reflect, honor collective trauma, and embrace healing. So, what does freedom have to do with mental health? Let’s talk about it.

Why Juneteenth Matters for Mental Health

1. It Honors Collective Trauma and Opens the Door to Healing

The legacy of slavery and systemic racism has created deep-rooted psychological scars that continue to affect generations. This trauma can show up as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and chronic stress — sometimes without people even realizing its source.

Recognizing Juneteenth gives space to acknowledge that pain. As the Children’s Place Association puts it, the holiday “promotes hope, healing, and well-being” by giving us room to reflect and reconnect with our shared story (Children’s Place, 2023).

2. It’s a Cultural Reset Button

Juneteenth is a celebration of Black identity, resilience, and joy. That kind of cultural affirmation is a powerful antidote to invisibility — something that many people of color experience daily.

Therapist Dr. Joy Harden Bradford (you might know her from Therapy for Black Girls) reminds us that connecting to culture helps combat feelings of isolation, shame, or not being “enough.” Juneteenth celebrations — cookouts, music, dancing, and storytelling — help strengthen identity and community bonds, which are key to mental health.

3. It Highlights the Work Still to Be Done

Let’s be real: access to mental health care is still unequal.

According to SAMHSA (2022), Black Americans are less likely to receive mental health services and more likely to experience misdiagnosis or lack of culturally competent care. Juneteenth is a time to push for equity — not just in society, but in mental health services too.

That’s why organizations like BEAM (Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective) and Therapy for Black Girls are doing the work to break stigma and provide culturally-relevant resources (Divine Health, 2023).

Healthy Ways to Cope and Celebrate Mental Wellness

Juneteenth is a reminder that freedom also means caring for your mind, body, and soul. Here are some positive ways to embrace that:

✨ Connect with Your Community

Attend a Juneteenth event or join a support group. Being with people who “get it” is healing.

✨ Rest Without Guilt

Yes, you heard that right. Rest is a radical act in a world that often demands productivity over peace. Take naps. Say no. Breathe.

✨ Seek Therapy (It’s Not Just for “Crisis”)

Mental health care is self-care. Find a culturally competent therapist who understands your story. Resources like Therapy for Black Girls or BEAM can help.

✨ Journal, Create, or Move Your Body

Dance, paint, write, or take a walk. Creativity and movement are natural stress relievers and great outlets for processing emotions.

✨ Educate and Empower

Share mental health resources with friends and family. Let’s break the stigma together.

Closing Thoughts: Juneteenth Is About Freedom — Inside and Out

Juneteenth reminds us that freedom isn’t just physical. Emotional and mental freedom matter too. Taking care of our mental health — individually and collectively — is one of the most powerful ways to honor the legacy of our ancestors.

So this Juneteenth, let’s celebrate, rest, heal, and keep pushing forward — because we’re worthy of wellness.

NU Vision