Black psychologists to address mental health, well-being at B-CU – Florida Courier

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Updated: May 23, 2025 @ 6:25 am
Dr. Sharon Bethea, Kathline Jones and Dr. Yuma Tomes with the Association of Black Psychologists visited Bethune-Cookman last month to prepare for the organization’s 56th annual convention.

Dr. Sharon Bethea, Kathline Jones and Dr. Yuma Tomes with the Association of Black Psychologists visited Bethune-Cookman last month to prepare for the organization’s 56th annual convention.
The Association of Black Psychologists (ABPsi) will hold its 56th Annual International Convention on the campus of Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach from July 30 to Aug. 3.
This year ‘s theme, “Returning to Spirit: The Essence of Who We Be,” promises to be a thought-provoking experience in African/Black Psychology providing a space for intellectual discourse, cultural engagement and professional development.
The APBsi has a long history of working with historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
“We wanted it at an HBCU. We workwith HBCUs and have relationships with several. We had a conversation with Dr. Jermaine at FAMU, which has the only graduate program in psychol- ogy. B-CU came up. It was their 120th anniversary this year. Dr. Jermaine called Dr. Hollar and, after speaking to Dr. Hollar, Bethune-Cookman be- came our location for the conference,” said Dr. Sharon Bethea, president of ABPsi.
Dr. Daniel Hollar is Associate Professor of Psychology at Bethune-Cook- man Univrsity. He also serves as As- ==sistant Dean and Department Chair. Dr. Jermaine Robertson is Professor of Psychology at Florida A&M University (FAMU).
The Association of Black Psychologists was created in 1968 from an American Psychological Association meeting with 200 Black psychologist in various professional fields. Today the organization has over 1,400 members.
The convention will include:
The three-day event is filled with seminars and speaking and interactive engagement. There will be a Community Day on Saturday, Aug. 2 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., which is free and open the public.
“We have poster sessions where the community can talk to people doing the research and engage with others in the field. We have short inside talks.
There is a session where people in the community will speak on what pertains to people in Daytona Beach. We would love for the community to come that day,” Bethea stressed.
“We want professionals, including mental health counselors, case workers, teachers, clergy, or any related field related to attend the entire conference.”
There is a stigma in health care with Black Americans, including a saying that they don’t regularly see doctors. That also exists in mental health; however, mental health professionals beg to differ.
“There are many ways that Black people seek help. I think in many ways Blacks get the wrong end of the stick with that stigma. Most people don’t seek profes- sional help. It’s not people’s first choice, Bethea explained. They consider therapy as “an upper-class phenomenon, a European concept and it costs money. Most Blacks go to family, church, nature and more.’’ 
She noted, “There are many reasons why we don’t go. Just look at our generational expe- rience with racism, injustice and some of the medical exper- iments done to us. The stigma is more with distrust throughout history amongst our people with the health care system.
Bethea further stated, “Only 4 percent of therapists are Black. People do better with therapists that look like them. We aren’t getting the training and job certifications at high rates in the field. There is a lack of confidence in these institutions.
“There are institutions with reputations for mistreating Blacks, for example, the Dozier School for Boys and the Tuskegee Syphilis project. Blacks are more likely to keep their business in their household.”
The ABPsi works to help people deal with mental health and mental well-being. The association has numerous programs with organizations, businesses and educational institutions.
“We work strictly with well-beings. We believe if you’re well you can deal with other issues. We don’t deal with politics or economics but the mental health and well-being of Black Americans. We also work with students to get more Blacks in careers in the field. We have healing circles where we talk about issues,” Bethea shared.
“We provide supportive environments promoting social strength and emotional well-being in the community. We do in-school consultations. We’re equipped with resources needed to help Black people with mental and emotional well-being.”
Anyone who needs or wants help with mental health, help is available.
“Talk about it. People are often embarrassed. Go to someone and talk about it. Then use your resources in the community. Find those spaces that address these issues and get to them,” Bethea added.
For more on the Association of Black Psychologists 2025 National Conference visit www.https://abpsi.org/56thconvention
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