Last Saturday, about 50 people sat on the second floor of Newfields with their eyes closed, breathing in and out.
The event included targeted breathing exercises to help you deal with life’s challenges while breathing out.
Released in 2020, exhale app is the first emotional well-being app designed specifically for Black, Indigenous, and women of color.
RELATED: $1.5 million partnership funds Black entrepreneurs
“Instead of everything that was going on in the black community, the oppression that already existed was exacerbating. I was getting frustrated. And I was feeling stressed out. I looked into some welfare apps, but… , there was nothing geared toward the Black community,” said Katara McCarty, president and CEO of the EXHALE app.
Since its launch in 2020, EXHALE has reached 17,000 downloads and users in 55 countries. This plays an important role in filling the gap in resources available to support minority women.
The Indian entrepreneur hosted a free event on Saturday to celebrate the launch of the new version of the EXHALE app. She also hosted panel discussions including: “The current state of self-care among black women”” report.
The current state of self-care among black women
McCarty, who surveyed more than 1,000 Black women for the report, moderated the panel, which included panelists Colette Pierce Barnett, Ph.D., president and CEO of Newfields; I spoke with Senator Andrea Hanley, Vice President for Diversity Angela Smith-Jones, and others. , Marion County Health & Hospital Corp. Equity and Inclusion.
“The people who have to do the demolition are non-people of color, and we don’t have the power or privilege as a Black community to do that. We can talk about it, we can resist it. We can, but my hope is that EXHALE exists to provide a space for how to address our mental and emotional health,” McCarty said.
Nearly half of Black women surveyed for the report said stress impacts their daily lives. 25% reported requiring hospitalization or treatment due to stress.
An overwhelming 76% of respondents believe there is a prevalence of people believing that Black women are stronger than most people. Therefore, they need to be able to handle more stress than others.
66% of those surveyed said they work too hard to excel at work and fulfill their personal responsibilities.
exhale app
Although resources to manage stress are becoming more abundant, the report further found that Black women face many barriers in accessing formal mental health resources, and the majority of resources are available to Black women. Evidence of inability to cope with unique experiences.
As a result, 77% of respondents believe they need more tools like EXHALE and more resources tailored to support their specific needs.
EXHALE App hosted its first panel discussion at Essence Fest in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Panel discussions will also be held in Los Angeles, California and New York City, New York.
Contact staff writer Jade Jackson at 317-607-5792 or email jadej@indyrecorder.com. Follow her on Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON
