ORLANDO, Fla. — For many in the Black community, conversations about mental health have long happened behind closed doors, if at all.
What You Need To Know
Black/African American adults were 36% less likely to receive mental health treatment in 2024 compared to U.S. adults overall
Barriers include cost, stigma, limited access, and a shortage of culturally competent providers
Gaither uses poetry as a therapeutic tool for healing
Gaither says healing is not weakness, but a continuation of strength
Camara Gaither, Orlando’s Poet Laureate and a pre-licensed therapist, said she now uses poetry not only for herself, but as a therapeutic tool for her clients to express themselves. Gaither says her own journey with writing began early in life.
“I have been writing since I was 8 years old. I wasn’t crazy about school, but when it came to English language arts and poetry, I was really engaged,” she said. “Art and poetry specifically can help us to have a place to put pain and help us have a place to savor beauty.”
Gaither was appointed the city of Orlando’s Poet Laureate in October 2025. She’s also a pre-licensed mental health therapist working with teens and adults navigating trauma, grief, depression, and anxiety.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, in 2024, Black/African American adults were 36% less likely than U.S. adults overall to have received mental health treatment. Experts say barriers like cost, lack of access, stigma, and a shortage of culturally competent providers all play a role.
Gaither understands those challenges firsthand. She says access to care is also about feeling seen and understood.
“Not everyone has insurance. Things are continuing to get really expensive. Usually in black and brown neighborhoods, there’s not a lot of specialties and clinics nearby,” Gaither said.
Beyond traditional therapy sessions, Gaither partners with nonprofit organizations and clinical spaces to offer poetry therapy groups for marginalized communities.
She says poetry serves as a powerful healing tool, especially for communities deeply rooted in storytelling and oral tradition.
“More and more studies are showing how effective art is and helping us process what we’re going through and helping us feel belonging and connection,” Gaither said.
During Black History Month, Gaither hopes the spotlight helps normalize mental health conversations and encourages more people to seek support. She says healing is not a sign of weakness but a continuation of strength.
“I want to see us feel more freedom and be given more affirmation and express the full range of who we are.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, local and national resources are available.
Resources:
To find Therapists (Filter Search By State): Black Therapists
Black Therapist Rock
Psychology Today
Open Path Collective
Therapy Scholarships:
Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation
BEAM (Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective)
Local Resources:
Mental Health Association of Central Florida
New Hope for Kids
Heart Bonds Counseling (Accepts Medicaid)
Hope & Serenity Counseling (Accepts Medicaid)