Grounded: Creating Space for Black Peace was just added to the features section, so be sure to check for it there. Brittney Brackett’s powerful documentary covers some extremely important and often overlooked issues in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health issues in the black community, and the importance of sharing stories and healing.
The film is broken into a few different sections and begins with the meaning of recognizing Juneteenth in America, and the healing nature of telling the story of race in America and healing through art. Stemming from a history of slavery, segregation, and continued racial oppression, black Americans face generational and cultural trauma that is often misdiagnosed and suppressed. Exhibits and conversations such as the ones featured in the International African American Museum in South Carolina give a name and voice to this history, creating a base from which to heal.
The final part of the film instills hope in the viewer and focuses on possible solutions to racial mental health disparities, such as teaching emotional intelligence and addressing bullying in the school system, creating safe spaces and sensory rooms in schools, and teaching children grounding and mindfulness techniques. Through more acceptance of mental health issues and coping techniques, it’s possible we can help break the cycles of trauma and suppression.
Brackett’s film is around 40 minutes long, and I feel like I could have watched a whole feature that further expounded on many of these topics. At the same time, by fitting them all into one it’s possible for viewers to learn a lot about mental health in an economical timeframe, and to allow the audience to pursue more academics and activism on their own.
For an uplifting, accessible introduction to a topic that is in vital need of a wider audience, make sure to watch Grounded: Creating Space for Black Peace, now in the features section, and cast a virtual ballot to tell us what YOU think. Pass it on!
Grounded: Creating Space for Black Peace | Mental Filmness 2025
