Underlined is proud to partner with BEAM: Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective for Chaos Theory, a book that centers young adults who are living with grief, prioritizing mental health, and finding love amid the chaos.
An introduction from BEAM Founder and Executive Director, Yolo Akili Robinson
As the Founder and Executive Director of BEAM (Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective), I have dedicated my life to creating tools that help Black folks process, heal, and experience emotional support. Over the years, I have been a part of the creation of many different tools: trainings, posters, videos, and art; and I have also discovered tools from Black artists, therapists, and creatives.
Today, I am thrilled to share that amongst those tools is the dynamic and thoughtful work of Nic Stone. In her latest young adult novel, Chaos Theory, she once again creates an avenue for young Black people, and people of all races and genders, to be able to have their imperfect healing journeys affirmed. Through Shelbi and Andy’s story of navigating grief and managing life living with Bipolar, we get glimpses of our own complicated, messy selves and even more so, we get examples of a path forward.
I am grateful for Chaos Theory, and the wide library of books that Nic Stone has created that we, at BEAM, will continue to uplift as tools that help us change the landscape of emotional learning and lead us towards healing justice. Take a look at some BEAM wellness tools that Chaos Theory readers can use to support their healing journeys!
What is a mood disorder anyway?
Basically, it’s a condition where emotions are unregulated for an extended period of time. You can learn more about the different types in the graphics below or by visiting BEAM’s website here.
What is the LAPIS Peer Support Model?
LAPIS is an acronym that stands for: Listen, Affirm, Partner, Initiate, and Seek. These are steps you can take to support a friend in a mental health crisis. See the graphics below for details on each step. You can also download these steps as a PDF here or order a printed poster here.
