Welcome to BreakingRanks Blog

The author reflects on an encounter with a colonel who complimented his articulation, sparking introspection about microaggressions and societal expectations. Drawing parallels to PTSD, the piece discusses the effects of racial discrimination and the need for validation through community support. It emphasizes the importance of acknowledging these experiences, especially regarding mental health and coping mechanisms.

Addiction does not replace the person you love. It moves in beside her. A plain-spoken guide for families living with a loved one’s addiction: reading the signs, setting boundaries, handling relapse, and finding help.

Black mental health is a critical and often overlooked topic in America. Black Americans face a unique intersection of historical trauma, systemic racism, cultural stigma, and limited access to care. All of these factors shape mental wellness in ways that standard healthcare often fails to address. This guide brings together everything you need to understand […]

What does “having it all” mean to you? Is it attainable? Having it all means I’ve found contentment. That word sounds small until you’ve spent years chasing something else. For me it’s straightforward: my basic needs are covered, my mind is not working against me, and I can make decisions that actually move my life […]

The author shares insights from their mental health journey after serving in the Air Force. They outline seven methods to cope with mental health challenges, emphasizing the importance of medication, self-care, honest communication, physical activity, mindfulness, setting boundaries, and knowledge. Recovery is framed as an ongoing process, urging individuals to seek help and support.

We appear to be constantly paying taxes, which further strains our already limited take-home pay that just barely covers essential expenses. In a distinct reality, companies would contribute their fair portion, and smaller enterprises would receive encouragement to expand and provide employees with health insurance; however, I no longer maintain hope for that elusive version. […]

Go deeper: Read our complete guide — Veteran PTSD: Understanding, Treating, and Living Beyond Post-Traumatic Stress. Related Reading Veteran PTSD: Understanding, Treating, and Living Beyond It What I Served For: A Veteran Reflects on Purpose Normalize: Breaking the Silence Around Mental Health

You’re Not Broken. You’re Injured. You’ve probably heard three letters more than your own name: PTSD. It shows up on forms, in briefings, in those mandatory slides you clicked through when you were still in uniform. It comes attached to that word disorder, and if you’re anything like I was, the first time you saw […]

Explore data-driven solutions to address systemic and cultural barriers to Black mental health care and discover ways to bridge the gap in treatment access.

Explore Black mental health statistics in 2024 with key data and trends on systemic disparities, treatment access, and emerging solutions for the community.

Go deeper: Read our complete guide — Personal Voice & Writing Practice: How Showing Up on the Page Changes Everything.

Address the gap between awareness and action regarding mental health in the African American community while exploring cultural barriers and care solutions.

Explore the history and impact of systemic and cultural barriers to Black mental health care to discover how to foster true healing and equity for all.

Seventy-five percent of Black adults suffering from mental health conditions never receive treatment. That statistic should stop us in our tracks. It stopped me. The reasons are layered: historical betrayal from Tuskegee to present-day police shootings of people in crisis, financial barriers, geographic barriers, and a cultural stigma that tells us to be strong and […]

After 23 years in the U.S. Air Force, I’ve witnessed the profound impact of service on mental health. Veterans face immense challenges transitioning to civilian life, often suffering in silence due to stigma. Through advocacy and writing, I champion the need for accessible mental health care that honors their unique experiences and dignity.