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The event featured expert panellists who shared personal, cultural and academic insights on Black women’s mental health as part of October’s Black Futures Month celebrations at the University

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Last week, in a packed lecture theatre at City St George’s, University of London, the inaugural ‘Black Women on the Couch’ event took place with an inspiring panel of expert women.

The first-of-its-kind gathering highlighted Black women's mental health as part of Black Futures Month celebrations at the University. Hosted on Thursday, October 9 by Rotimi Akinsete, the event marked an expansion of the psychotherapist’s long-running 'Black Men on the Couch' initiative.

For over a decade, Rotimi has carved out space for public conversations on Black men and mental health with his events which have featured prominent voices including David Lammy and Benjamin Zephaniah.

L to R: Helen P. George, Dr Ohemaa Nkansa-Dwamena, Professor Jessica Jones Nielsen and Rotimi Akinsete

Now, it was time for women to share their insights and reflections.

Rotimi introduced the panel of women bringing their lived experience, clinical expertise, and cultural insights to the stage. These included:

  • Professor Jessica Jones Nielsen, Assistant Vice-President for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at City St George’s
  • Dr Ohemaa Nkansa-Dwamena, Associate Professor at City St George’s and practicing counselling psychologist
  • Helen P. George, counsellor, psychotherapist and author of Black Women, Trauma & Therapy

“Today is not just an event - everyone here has come for an important and shared purpose,” said Kiren Chima, Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the University. “We need to elevate voices, raise awareness and remove the stigma attached to talking about mental health and wellbeing. We need to be seen and heard and speak up proudly so we can influence change for future generations."

Amplifying voices in mental health conversations

For Rotimi, the decision to open his platform to Black women was both timely and personal.

“There’s just been a push for it, and I’ve been, in a way, resisting that push,” he said. “So now just feels like the right time.”

His decision was inspired by his network of Black female psychotherapists, such as Helen P. George, who have sparked important discussions in their field.

“The project seeks to explore the relationships that Black women have in society with their institutions, workplaces, families and the men in their lives. I also want to reflect on my relationship with the women in my life as part of this work.”

The panel event included a drinks reception for attendees to network

Music as inspiration

Each panellist was introduced by Rotimi with a song of their choosing, opening the event with a moment of joy and reflection that represented them personally.

Professor Jessica Jones Nielsen walked on to Jill Scott’s “Golden”, radiating gratitude.

“Who doesn’t love Jill Scott but also - life is golden. Very golden. I appreciate that and I know I’m blessed,” she said. “There’s been successes that I want to celebrate with everyone around me.”

Helen P. George chose “Skankin’ Sweet” by Chronixx and discussed the meaning behind the lyrics.

“If you really listen to the words he’s saying, especially to Black women, when things are hard, we’ve got to get up and ‘start skankin’ and ‘start moving’,” she said. “There's something about the times we’re living in now, where we can use music to help us keep going.”

Dr Ohemaa Nkansa-Dwamena took to the stage to “Woman” by Little Simz.

I chose this song because it celebrates women of all diversities. It’s about celebration and it’s also about thanking the women in our lives who have influenced us and achieved amazing things. I chose this song because I’m proud to be a Black woman.

Therapy, identity, and the power of representation

Over the course of the evening, panellists addressed the need to amplify Black women’s experiences - in mental health settings, academic institutions, and beyond.

Dr Ohemaa Nkansa-Dwamena spoke about the underrepresentation of Black theories and voices in academic research: “On our Counselling Psychology programme at City St George’s, we’ve been very intentional that different theories and frameworks are centred in the work we do and training that we engage with."

I think there’s something important about us, as Black women, putting our work out there as well. There’s a lot we produce and co-produce, through research, clinical practice, books, that we do need to amplify and share so others can see and engage with the work we do more widely.

The Black Women on the Couch event gave attendees the chance to ask panellists questions about mental health

Professor Jones Nielsen echoed this need for representation and structural change, particularly around the systemic barriers preventing Black women from rising to senior leadership positions.

“Firstly, racism is rife in the selection and recruitment of senior leaders in most sectors. In the UK, you won’t find a huge percentage of Black women or even Black men in these influential roles. Systemic, structural racism is real."

We need to be able to invest in ourselves as a collective by cultivating leadership within our communities. We are full of talent, full of creativity and there is no reason why we shouldn’t be at those levels. It’s about supporting and challenging ourselves to achieve those feats.

She also spoke about Black women and beauty standards, discussing her own experiences as a mother of two girls.

“There have been narratives of shame or embarrassment around not being ‘white enough’ or not having straighter hair. I think it’s important children get positive messages in their early development so they can celebrate where they come from. My children are mixed and they are so proud of their hair and the way their mum looks. They are proud to be part of the Black community.”

The importance of healing

Helen P. George spoke about Black motherhood and the emotional weight many women carry in today’s political climate.

“Some of the women I work with are single mothers with sons and there’s something about the streets pulling their children away from them,” she said. “It’s hard to keep their sons safe because sometimes out there on the streets it’s a matter of life and death.”

Helen then urged the audience to prioritise mental wellbeing as political and social tensions rise in the UK and across the pond in the States.

I talk about the harm that is being caused to Black women in my book. We need to care for ourselves, we need rest and we need joy, particularly in this political climate.

The event was followed by a drinks and networking reception, where attendees enjoyed live music and spoke further about the impactful topics discussed on the panel. Rotimi said he hopes to host similar events in the future, further exploring this important subject.

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