01/19/2026
Today, we celebrate Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. day as we recognize the work and legacy Dr. King left the world advocating for people's rights, wellbeing, and access to a better life.
It is important to acknowledge both the strength, courage, and fortitude Dr. King took to the Civil Rights Movement, while also respecting the toll it took on his mental health. It is well known that Dr. King struggled with depression even before he would become a nationally known name, and would continue to do so under the tremendous pressure of being a leader in the Civil Rights Movement.
Not only was it difficult for Dr. King to seek help around mental health due to stigma at the time that stereotyped mental illnesses and those who would experience them, Dr. King was also concerned for the physical safety of himself and those who traveled with him, as well as experiencing constant surveillance and social attacks from those who opposed equality and civil rights for all.
This year as we celebrate Dr. King, let us remember to also carry on his mission of equality, especially as we imagine ways to keep increasing accessibility and end disparity in healthcare.
Check out the origins of Dr. King’s quote in this article from the Physicians for a National Health Program: https://tinyurl.com/5cdubrwv
Check out this article about Dr. King's quote that explores the mental health of minoritized communities: https://tinyurl.com/rbxfndca
