TITLE
Psychedelic medicines, spirituality, and other healing modalities for the African diaspora family in a divided world. (Why It’s important to heal oneself first)

ABSTRACT
The African diaspora family faces unique struggles and contains equally unique gifts to cope in a world divided along racial and socio-economic lines. There is limited access to mental health resources for the UK population in general and few culturally-appropriate ones in particular. Yet, there is hope. Cutting-edge therapies such as psychedelic assisted culturally-appropriate therapy, EFT, RMDR, and self-inquiry tools like Byron Katie’s The Work, plus African spiritual practices, can be an effective group of modalities in the treatment of mental health concerns, racism, and long-term trauma. This talk is an exploration of what this looks like in practice.

BIOGRAPHY
Akua Ofosuhene found out six years ago that her teenage son had been groomed into a County lines drug dealing ring while at school. This traumatic experience led to feelings of shame, guilt, depression and a cancer scare. Finding that traditional approaches were not working, Akua turned to alternative healing modalities, African spirituality and psychedelic medicine. By using these, she was able to treat her depression and help her son out of the drug dealing ring. After 2 years of intensive work, her son is finally back in education and continues to work with psychedelics. Akua helps others deal with the effects of coercive control and grooming, speaking publicly about psychedelic plants and compounds and is the founder of African Spiritual Practices events. Akua works full-time as a dressmaker, and is co-founder of Hub and Culture, a makers’ cooperative-up shop.