Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day and Jubilee Day, is an annual celebration of the freedom of black Americans from slavery. Every year, many black families come together on June 19th in remembrance of and to take joy in black history, culture, and progress. With Juneteenth now being a federal holiday, here is an introduction to some of the ways the day is celebrated as well as some resources on how support black mental health on this day and every day.
Here in Texas, many families and communities have gathered and celebrated Juneteenth for generations with music, cookouts, and parades. In the following link, there are several videos about the meaningful ways food, clothing, colors, and activities honor the history and legacy of Freedom Day. https://www.binnews.com/content/2021-06-15-honoring-us-how-texans-celebrate-juneteenth/
While Juneteenth is a day of celebration, it can also hold heavy emotions for members of the black community. The following two articles speak to these themes, including the importance of listening to black voices, respecting black spaces, and learning about the true history of the United States.
If you would like to speak to a counselor about these mental health impacts or identity, you can contact the counselors at the EAP at UT Austin. You can schedule a free, confidential appointment with a counselor by emailing eap@austin.utexas.edu or calling 512-471-3366.