During Mental Health Awareness Month in May, it is an ideal time to discuss mental health at home and in communities.
Dr. Ajita M. Robinson, LCPC, NCC, a licensed clinical professional counselor and national certified counselor, owns Friends in Transition Counseling Services, a clinical group practice based in Bethesda, Maryland. Dr Robinson’s clinical work focuses on grief, trauma, and neurodevelopmental disabilities. She is also the bestselling author of “The Gift of Grief” and “The Purposeful & Profitable Therapist.”
Dr. Robinson shared good news about stigma reduction connected to seeking help for mental health. People now recognize that therapy can be a proactive act of self-care and not just a crisis response.
“The pandemic forced us all to confront our emotional well-being in ways we couldn’t ignore. Social media, public discourse, and mental health advocates—especially in the Black community—have helped normalize seeking support. Platforms like Therapy for Black Girls, Black People Die By Suicide, Too and Silence the Shame have created safe spaces and elevated awareness,” she said.
Dr. Robinson explained that according to the American Psychological Association, between 2019 and 2022, therapy usage among Black adults increased significantly, especially among millennials and Gen Z.
When it comes to older generations seeking mental health help, hurdles still exist. “They are more hesitant to seek therapy due to cultural messages around strength, silence, and ‘keeping things in the family,’” according to Dr. Robinson.
“Many were taught that therapy was only for people who were ‘broken,’ but the truth is, therapy can be life-affirming at every stage of life. As independence shifts and life transitions happen—retirement, caregiving, health issues—mental health support can improve quality of life, increase emotional resilience, and provide tools to navigate change with dignity,” Dr. Robinson explained.
Dr. Robinson also stated that older adults are more open to mental health support when it is introduced through trusted spaces like churches or primary care doctors.
It is critical to note that a person does not have to be in crisis to benefit from therapy. Dr. Robinson explained that wanting a safe, judgment-free space to process life is reason enough.
“We have to move away from the idea that something has to be ‘wrong’ before we’re allowed to ask for help. Sometimes, support is the most responsible, loving thing we can offer ourselves,” she added.
On the other hand, a person may need to seek professional mental health help at any age.
“One of the biggest signs that it might be time to talk to a mental health professional is when you start to feel disconnected from yourself or your life. That might look like a loss of purpose, a sense of hopelessness, or pulling away from the things and people that once brought you joy.”
I also remind folks that transitions—whether it’s a new job, becoming a parent, retirement, or even something you wanted—can trigger grief. Change almost always involves some form of loss, even if it’s just the loss of familiarity. Those moments deserve space, too,” Dr. Robinson further noted.
It is important to set boundaries to maintain better mental health. Boundaries are one of the most powerful tools that people have for protecting our peace and preserving our mental health according to Dr. Robinson.
“Boundaries help us define where we end and someone else begins. Without them, we end up overcommitted, overwhelmed, and often resentful,” she said. “Setting a boundary might look like not answering work emails after a certain hour, saying ‘no’ to events that drain you, or even asking for a moment before responding in a heated conversation. Boundaries help us honor the space between what we do and who we are.”
Grief and trauma can be passed down through generations. Dr. Robinson stated that she discussed how unspoken harm becomes part of the family culture in “The Gift of Grief.”
“We avoid hard conversations to ‘keep the peace,’ while quietly carrying the weight of what was never addressed. Whether it’s ‘the talk’ we give our kids to keep them safe or the tension at holiday dinners no one ever names, that’s generational trauma playing out in real time,” said Dr. Robinson.
She added that healing can also be passed down.
“Generational trauma isn’t just about what happened to us—it’s also about what keeps getting repeated because it was never talked about, never processed, never healed.”
Visit https://fit-counseling.com/about/dr-ajita-m-robinson to learn more about Dr. Robinson. Clients are presently served through online sessions in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Missouri.
