When Nieisha Deed first shared her struggles with depression and suicidal ideation, she could not have imagined the response.
An accountant at one of the top firms in the United States, Nieisha had high career aspirations. But after 15 years of working in an environment where she rarely saw herself reflected in leadership and where productivity was celebrated over wellness, her mental health began to take a deep dive. Like many Black professionals, she faced racial discrimination, microaggressions, and isolation in spaces that were not built to be inclusive. This ongoing stress, along with generational trauma that made it hard to prioritize her mental health, took an increasingly heavy toll.
In 2020, Nieisha discussed her experience receiving treatment for her mental illness as part of McLean Hospital’s Deconstructing Stigma campaign. This series of photographs and stories aims to address misconceptions surrounding mental health. Nieisha remembers running to the bathroom and crying tears of excitement, fear, and happiness as soon as she shared the piece on social media.
The response was overwhelming. Nieisha received supporting, loving comments from friends and family. Other people—those who, like her, seemed to have the perfect image online—began disclosing their own mental illnesses and struggles.
“These were people that I looked up to. There were so many other Black women in corporate spaces—lawyers, doctors, attorneys—that were going through the same thing that I was going through.”
The experience inspired Nieisha to found PureSpark, Massachusetts’ first Black wellness directory. The organization provides mental health and community care for everyone, with a focus on Black women who often put themselves and their mental wellness last. PureSpark seeks to cultivate the kind of mental wellness culture Nieisha craved when she was severely depressed and suicidal.
This year, PureSpark is celebrating its fifth anniversary, marking a significant moment in the history of mental health care for Black communities in Massachusetts. Samaritans is grateful to partner with this impactful organization, which is dedicated to supporting historically underserved communities and breaking the stigma surrounding mental illness and suicide prevention.
Mental Health Care in Community
Born and raised in Roxbury, Massachusetts, Nieisha’s parents placed her in a program that bused her from her neighborhood to a suburban school in hopes of better educational opportunities. But while there was a lot of focus on academics, this experience was very difficult and isolating for Nieisha.
“There wasn’t a lot of focus on what happens to a Black child when that child is taken out of their environment and placed in a totally different environment with no representation,” she says. “You kind of feel like an outsider.”
That isolation and scarcity of opportunities to see herself reflected took a toll on Nieisha’s mental health—a toll that followed her into corporate America. She continued trying to fit into spaces that didn’t see or value her authentic self and made judgments based on the way she looked. She attempted to assimilate and ignore her mental and emotional well-being.
“I got to the point where I was basically not interested in living anymore, and I decided that the world was better off without me.” she shares. “Thankfully, I was surrounded by loving family and friends who saw that decline and said, ‘We’re not going to let you go down like that. We’re coming to help you.’”
Nieisha credits her healing journey to those closest to her. She acknowledges the importance of therapy and medication in managing mental illness, but those who helped the most in her moment of crisis were her community. She hopes to foster more of these lifesaving connections through PureSpark.
“When I talk about certain things that are cultural, that are specific to the Black community, it lands with people,” Nieisha explains. “They get it, they understand because a lot of us grew up the same way or have the same experiences at work.”
Black Mental Health: A Social Justice Issue
Nieisha’s story reflects a broader crisis in Black mental health—one that requires not just individual healing, but transformation of the systems and institutions that perpetuate harm.
The impact of historical oppression, from slavery to segregation and continued systemic discrimination, continues to affect the mental health of Black Americans today. Societal issues such as racial discrimination create ongoing stress for Black individuals.
Black Americans are 20% more likely to experience serious mental distress than white Americans, yet only 25% seek mental health treatment when needed, compared to 40% of white people. Black communities often face significant barriers when it comes to accessing quality mental health care. Finding culturally competent therapists is often difficult, and the cost of treatment and complex insurance processes can put care out of reach. Historical mistreatment by the US healthcare system has also left many communities hesitant to ask for help.
The toll of racism on mental health is a social justice issue because it affects but the collective wellbeing of a community. Healing cannot happen in isolation—systemic change is necessary as part of the healing process. Nieisha emphasizes that meaningful change requires broader social movements to transform workplaces, educational institutions, and healthcare systems.
For Black women professionals navigating harmful work environments, culturally specific resources like the 2024 Black Women Toxic Job Suicide Prevention Resource Guide can offer vital support. But equally important is the power of community and culturally affirming support networks. As Nieisha notes, mental wellness can take many forms beyond traditional talk therapy and psychiatry—from cooking family recipes to celebrating cultural traditions through music and gatherings.
This philosophy of culturally informed support drives PureSpark’s approach to mental wellness. In 2020-2021, Nieisha hosted Peer Support by PureSpark, groups that brought together Black wellness practitioners for virtual psychoeducational discussions during the COVID-19 lockdown. They covered what mental illness looks like, what it feels like for the person experiencing it, and how to help a family member or loved one. Once they were able to host events in person, they expanded to monthly wellness walks and Black wellness provider mixers that aim to “heal the healers.”
Now, PureSpark is bringing its wellness providers into housing developments, making support more accessible for low-income communities that need it the most. For Nieisha, the heart of her work lies in the representation and authenticity present in these communities.
“You feel seen, you feel like you belong. And that’s something I’ve always wanted to feel, and the people that come to us want to feel as well.”
Find Your Spark
The intention behind the name “PureSpark” is to bring us back to our true selves, untainted by societal expectations. The name represents that spark we all have inside us.
“When we’re born, we’re pure,” Nieisha explains. “But what happens is that society starts to dump things in our head about who we’re meant to be, what we’re supposed to look like, and all these things. Some of which I still have not gotten over obviously, but I’m working through it.”
Nieisha emphasizes that if you are struggling or feeling suicidal, it’s not your fault. Broader, societal factors contributed to her mental health struggles, and continue to impact the Black community at large.
“For a long time, I blamed myself. I thought that I was weak, but mental illness and suicide is a product of our current system.”
Nieisha has also personally witnessed how broken systems can push people to a state of psychological desperation. She shares the story of a family member who, struggling with housing insecurity, lost hope while waiting for assistance.
These preventable losses drive Nieisha’s work. Inspired by the resilience of the Black community in Massachusetts and beyond, she envisions a world where mental health support is accessible, effective, and equitable. She is hopeful that meaningful, systemic change is possible and continues expanding PureSpark’s services, working toward better community support systems for those who are struggling.
Samaritans is proud to sponsor PureSpark’s upcoming mental wellness event, The Plug, taking place on March 20, 2025, at the Museum of Science in Boston. This free event is designed to empower individuals in the Black community to prioritize their mental wellness, offering a range of traditional and nontraditional healing services including Reiki, licensed therapy, massage therapy, sound healing, and yoga. Celebrating PureSpark’s fifth anniversary, it reflects Nieisha’s personal journey and the organization’s ongoing commitment to supporting Black wellness practitioners and individuals on their wellness journeys. We are honored to support this transformative space for healing and growth.
You Are Not Alone
If you’re overwhelmed, having thoughts of suicide, or worried about someone, Samaritans is here to support you.
Call or text: 988
