At the top and bottom of the illustration are graphic borders in the style of a Kente pattern. The text is also in red, white and teal, against a black background. Text is centered and reads: AWN Celebrates Black History Month 20222 Theme: Black Health and Wellness In the lower right hand corner is the awn logo- a large lowercase pink “a” with a pale blue dragonfly on it. Below is the website awnnetwork.com

AWN honors Black Health & Wellness this Black History Month

February 19, 2022

The Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network recognizes February as Black History Month. This year’s theme is Black Health and Wellness. As such we have created these graphics to bring attention to the unique experiences of the Black community with mental health, disability, and COVID-19 disaprities.

COVID-19 Disparities

Black communities are 13% of the total US population, but account for 18% of Covid-19 cases and 21% of Covid related deaths. “ Black Women’s Health Imperative. Covid-19 Pandemic Survival Guide Between the text is a drawing of a green germ. In the lower left corner in yellow, orange and teal reads: BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2022: HEALTH & WELLNESS In the center bottom are 4 squares of illustrations in the style of a Kente pattern. In the lower right corner is the awn logo: a large “a” with a pale teal dragonfly and the website listed as awnnetwork.org

Black communities make up 13% of the total US population, but account for 18% of Covid-19 cases and 21% of Covid related deaths. This is based on the 2022 report “Surviving & Thriving: Covid-19 Pandemic Survival Guide For Black Women And Their Families” by Black Women’s Health Imperative.

As the report explores:

We are more likely to have underlying conditions that worsen the severity of cases and less likely to have access to timely testing and treatment services that could save our lives. Economically, women of color are facing high levels of unemployment and financial uncertainty. This, in turn, is creating negative social impacts for Black women and girls, including a higher risk of housing instability, food insecurity, and education inequality. Black women live at the intersection of racial and gender oppression and economic and health adversity.

Black Women’s Health Imperative

Black Mental Health

image description: Text is in white and teal. It reads: On Average, only about 40% of Black Adults who have serious mental health issues receive mental health treatment. Black women are twice as likely as men to experience major depression, but only about half of those who need mental health treatment receive it. -Therapy for Black Girls In the center is a drawing of a brain in dark orange. In the lower left corner in yellow, orange and teal reads: BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2022: HEALTH & WELLNESS In the center bottom are 4 squares of illustrations in the style of a Kente pattern. In the lower right corner is the awn logo: a large “a” with a pale teal dragonfly and the website listed as awnnetwork.org

On average, only about 40% of Black Adults who have serious mental health issues receive mental health treatment. Black women are twice as likely as men to experience major depression, but only about half of those who need mental health treatment receive it. This data is from Therapy for Black Girls, an online space dedicated to encouraging the mental wellness of Black women and girls.

{Image Description: Illustration and text in teal,red and white. “Black students are 3x more likely to be expelled 2x more likely to be suspended Than white students in K-8 schools And Black students with disabilities are 1.5x more likely to be excluded from the main classroom for over half the day than white students with disabilities are. “ Family care, Community Care and Self-Care Tool Kit: Healing in the Face of Cultural Trauma Between the above text is a drawing of a teal and white book in a circle. In the lower left corner in yellow, dark orange and teal reads: BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2022: HEALTH & WELLNESS In the center bottom are 4 squares of illustrations in the style of a Kente pattern. In the lower right corner is the awn logo: a large “a” with a pale teal dragonfly and the website listed as awnnetwork.org }

Black students are three-times more likely to be expelled and two-times more likely to be suspended than white students in K-8 schools. Black students with disabilities are 1.5 times more likely to be excluded from the main classroom for over half the day than white students with disabilities are.

These statistics come from “Family care, Community Care and Self-Care Tool Kit: Healing in the Face of Cultural Trauma” by Community Healing Network and the Association of Black Psychologists, Inc.

We hope these resources were helpful, and we’ll continue providing resources throughout the year!