Rising Ground's Atlas program promotes therapy in the Bronx

People of color are less likely to receive therapy or seek it, leading to greater disparities and stigma around the idea of therapy. Atlas recognizes this stigma and attempts to break it through their unique approach to therapy.

- By ESMERALDA MORAN Special to the AmNews

Atlas is one of many programs within Rising Ground. It is directed at improving community safety through the implementation of therapy, namely Functional Family Therapy (FFT).

Last Friday Atlas hosted a community event at Devoe Park in the Bronx. The yearly event is hosted in one of the five boroughs and aims to promote the incorporation of therapy into the lives of community members.

"I provide free therapy as they're interested [and] make therapy like a part of their everyday lives," said Diamond Jones, a therapist in the program.

The community event featured multiple mental health organizations as well as other nonprofits aimed at aiding members of the community. There was also free food, entertainment and giveaways for those that attended.

"Us coming out in community, dancing with folks, eating with folks, we really want to show them that we're a part of your community. We have a service that we want to extend to you, but you can trust us," said Atlas Program Director Nijah Afflic.