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Black Men Thrive Too!

By Tifaan A. Ford, QMHP

Reviewed by Jenelle Hoyt, MA, LCPC


Strong, Powerful, Resilient Black Man… You are, and will Always be, MORE than what the world sees of you. You are Light. You are Hope. You are Brilliantly crafted…And YOU ARE NEEDED to HELP SHAPE THIS WORLD.


At times, your hardened exterior of protection, pride, courage and confidence may often feel like it’s being “chipped away”, bit by bit, by the heavy demands and unfair expectations of the world, causing the Greatness of You to seep out into a muddled puddle of shame, fear, doubt and overall fatigue. Are you tired of merely putting on a face and smiling through your day? Do you find yourself feeling “heavy”, thinking, “If I can just GET THROUGH THE DAY?”


If this sounds or feels familiar, or if you know a man that is experiencing such a plight, know that there is support and judgement-free assistance to help manage these feelings and overcome related obstacles. The first thing you need to know is that…


YOUR FEELINGS ARE VALID.


There is so much weighing on your shoulders; so many things that you, as a Black man, have to consider, that no one else is affected by. As a Black man in America, you face a unique set of challenges such as racism, discrimination, poverty, violence and bias, all intertwined. The effect this combination can have on your health, as a Black man, can be devastating.


If any of this resonates with you or someone you know and care about, YOU ARE NOT ALONE!


KEEP READING, as we unfold some of the common issues facing Black men in Mental Health and how to address them, so YOU (and others you know), as Black Men, CAN THRIVE TOO!


“Being a black man in America means being my brother’s keeper. Being a black man in America means being my brother’s keeper WHILE keeping a distance from my brother because I don’t trust him further than I can see him. It’s believing the cops don’t care about you. It’s learning how NOT to doubt yourself because when you’re born, everyone else already does.”

—Poet Prentice Powell, written following the fatal police shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, in 2014


Black men’s mental health is more complex than statistics or clinical diagnoses indicate, according to subject matter experts. Because of structural racism and Black men’s unique history in this country, their mental health and treatment are intimately tied to factors such as implicit bias on the part of medical providers, high poverty rates, and low access to quality psychological and psychiatric services (Black Men's Mental Health Matters, Tori DeAngelis, updated article January 24, 2023). It may prove difficult for Black men to find same-race mental health providers, as Black psychologists make up only about 4% of the doctoral-level psychology workforce (APA Center for Workforce Studies data). Black men are at an overall disadvantage in multiple areas including Education, Earnings, Upward mobility, Labor force participation & Unemployment, Life expectancy and Criminal justice, as they have a higher chance of being incarcerated (Reeves, Nzau & Smith, 2020). High levels of daily crises, lack of knowledge of steps to obtain services, and service eligibility issues have all been significant individual barriers to mental health service use for Black males (Robert Motley and Andrae Banks; Perspect Soc Work (Houst, 2018 Summer; 14(1): 4–19).


LET’S DIG DEEPER into more alarming facts…


It may feel like an uphill battle to be valued and recognized as a Black man, while navigating feelings around your self-worth that are often correlated with how much money you have (or the thought of what you should have), the mental and emotional significance of what money represents is magnified. In addition, Black men learn from a young age through music and media that money equals access, freedom, and power. Unfortunately, it's easy to internalize what access and validation those with money receive vs. those without (Sabree, Rahkim 2023). There is also an association between trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, substance abuse and violence perpetration, and the frequency of trauma exposure among Black males ages 18 and older put them at great risk for experiencing one or more of these deleterious outcomes that may require mental health service use (Gary, 2005; Institute of Medicine, 2006; Snowden, 2003). Yet, Black males are approximately half as likely as their White counterparts to use professional mental health services (Gonzalez et al., 2010; Hankerson et al., 2011).



Out of those who DO report having issues, Black adults living below the poverty line are more than twice as likely to report serious psychological distress as U.S. adults who enjoy greater financial security, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Minority Health. Yet only 26.4% of Black and Hispanic men ages 18 to 44 who experienced daily feelings of anxiety or depression were likely to have used mental health services, compared with 45.4% of non-Hispanic White men with the same feelings (NCHS Data Brief No. 206, 2015). Another study reported in Behavioral Medicine (Vol. 42, No. 3, 2016), Powell and colleagues found that every day and perceived racism along with internalized masculinity norms influenced Black men’s reluctance to seek medical help. Black men demonstrate may see themselves as being weak or viewed as crazy if they voice that they are having mental health issues. Seeking help for a Black man exudes the perception of inferiority; being flawed, damaged, or less than a man. As a result, most Black men either involuntarily repress or deliberately suppress their symptoms and this prevents them from seeking help that they need and can truly benefit them (Harris, 2022). Lack of access to medical insurance and education on how to locate help, are also common reasons Black men do not reach out or seek help. While these researched facts and statistics may be true, IT IS IMPERATIVE that we help change the attitudes and erase the stigma on Black men seeking help when it pertains to their mental health. Changing this perspective helps SAVE LIVES!


HELP IS AVAILABLE AND MAY BE SOUGHT CONFIDENTIALLY.


Did you know that trauma often plays an important role in increasing suicide rates among Black men? Suicide is the third leading cause of death for African American males, ages 15-24. Witnessing violence or having personally survived trauma can negatively affect a person and their development psychologically, emotionally and even physically. People who are exposed to violence are more likely to abuse drugs or alcohol, experience school-related difficulties, develop depression or other mental health issues, behave aggressively, and commit crimes, more often than those who are not exposed to violence (National Institute of Justice (NIJ).

LET'S RECAP WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED SO FAR


  1. You are resilient and needed in this world.

  2. Your feelings are valid

  3. You are not alone and things can get better

  4. Help tailored to your specific mental health needs is available


Take a moment and think about the attitudes and demeanor of some Black men that you know or may have encountered. Consider all the above-mentioned facts and realities that some of these men may be struggling to deal with, daily. You may even be able to, personally, relate to some of this, yourself.


THERE IS HOPE, AND IT IS OK TO FEEL AND EXPRESS YOURSELF.

(Not only is it OK…IT IS HEALTHY!)


IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE ARE HAVING THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE, YOU CAN ALWAYS

CALL 911 AND GO TO YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY ROOM.

YOU MAY ALSO CALL:

THE NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE AT 1-800-273-8255.


So, how do we bridge that gap? How can YOU be a part of the solution to this horrible trend in silencing and feeling silenced?


Say it out loud...BLACK MEN CAN THRIVE TOO!


“We should place less emphasis on whether Black men are resistant to therapy,” said Stevenson, “and more on understanding the contexts in which they already feel comfortable talking about their feelings and traumas (https://www.apa.org/monitor/2021/09/ce-black-mental-health). Internalized views of masculinity (e.g., being tough, not showing emotion or expressing feelings) cause many Black men to resist therapy and instead, they may turn to "Barbershop talk" or talking to a family member or friend to discuss and address their mental health issues.


To appropriately and effectively address a plan to reduce rising suicide rates among Black men, there are some key steps to take such as reframing how mental health issues are viewed and discussed in Black communities, combatting potential bias among mental health providers, establishing resources and networks and addressing mental health stigma among Black people. There ARE safe and supportive spaces, where Black males can express their thoughts, feelings and experiences, free of judgment. Having spaces where you can open up and be vulnerable, and build such a support system, can aid in fostering mental and emotional well-being (Benjamin, 2023). You may benefit from getting involved in a mentorship program. YOU may even be able to HELP encourage someone else, through sharing your experiences and building positive relationships. With the appropriate supports, Black men can lead healthier and happier lives.

Let’s eliminate the misguided perceptions of manhood and acknowledge the fact that it is healthy to allow yourself to be vulnerable with a trusted and neutral party, in a safe and non-judgmental environment. In addition, realize that, HEALING STARTS WITH VULNERABILITY.


WE ARE HERE TO HELP.



Any Black Men that completes the therapy intake process by November 31st 2023 will receive a month of free sessions. All you have to do is click the following link below to get started and someone will be in touch as soon as possible:


Let’s talk about some of the benefits of therapy, pertaining specifically to Black men.


  1. Seeking therapy reduces the chance of developing other more serious but common mental health disorders in the community, such as bipolar, borderline, schizophrenia and paranoid personality disorder.

  2. Black men are able to develop better coping strategies and improve their overall wellbeing, through the use of a therapist.

  3. In addition, Black men who have sought help and participated in therapy, have aided in building a supportive community that provides appropriate help and care, and demonstrate reduced reliance on defense mechanisms.

  4. Therapy also improves communication and enables Black men to establish more meaningful connections with themselves and others around them.

Look below, to learn more about additional resources available for Black men and how you become a part of something greater in the Black Community.


  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline). This is a 24/7/365 crisis line that can provide care to anyone experiencing a mental health crisis or having thoughts of suicide. Dial 988 from any phone within the US.

  • Call Blackline: This is a crisis line devoted to Black people who are struggling with mental health issues. Call 1-800-604-5841 for help.



  • BEAM (Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective): Comprised of a collective of “advocates, yoga teachers, artists, therapists, lawyers, religious leaders, teachers, psychologists, and activists,” this organization provides a directory of Black therapists certified in providing telehealth services.


  • Black Men Heal: This nonprofit provides information on how you can get free therapy sessions from selected providers. For more information, please visit this page and hit the “Apply Here” button to get started. Must reside in the following states: PA, NJ, DE, NYC, MD, D.C., VA, GA


  • The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation: Founded by actress Taraji P. Henson and named after her father, this foundation provides links to licensed therapists of color. There is also information on free therapy access. To get started, go here.


  • I.C. stars: Founded by former teacher Sandee Kastrul in 2000, i.c. stars has helped train underserved adults to become tomorrow’s business and tech leaders. The group helps students learn to build web-based applications to solve client problems while learning how to be a leader along the way.


  • Chicago West Community Music Center: For 20 years, the Chicago West Community Music Center has provided provided classical, jazz and music business instruction to underserved youth on the city’s West Side. Kids have performed across the world, including in Brazil, China and France, as part of the program. The group aims to improve lives through music education.


  • Westside Justice Center: The center offers free legal advice to walk-in residents, regularly hosts legal workshops and case reviews, and organizes around criminal justice issues that affect people on the West Side.


  • Let Us Breathe Collective: The #LetUsBreathe Collective is an alliance of artists and activists organizing through a creative lens to imagine a world without prisons and police. The collective operates the Breathing Room space, a Black-led liberation headquarters for arts, organizing and healing on the South Side.


  • Southsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation: helps low-income people on the South Side to build political power to bring equity and justice to their communities. Their multi-issue campaigns address affordable housing, food access, employment and health equity.


  • Black Lives Matter Chicago: The Chicago branch of Black Lives Matter is dedicated to creating equity for Black Chicagoans. Their organizing works to end state violence and the criminalization of Black communities. Their work deconstructs white supremacy, capitalism and patriarchy.


  • Gray Matter Experience: a teen business incubator that helps Black youth learn entrepreneurship skills. The group helps teens to launch businesses that can have a positive impact on their communities.


  • Brave Space Alliance: The Brave Space Alliance out of Hyde Park is a Black and trans-led LGBTQ center dedicated to providing resources and programming to queer people on the South and West Sides. The group is also pushing for queer and trans inclusivity in the movement for Black lives.


  • My Block My Hood My City :My Block My Hood My City offers opportunities for young people in under-resourced neighborhoods to access amenities not typically available to them. Their programs encourage youth to explore different neighborhoods, cultures and cuisines. The organization also offers opportunities for young people to get involved in STEM programs, volunteering, civic engagement, and community development.


  • Chicago Equity and Transformation: Based in Englewood, Garfield Park and Austin, was founded by formerly incarcerated individuals dedicated towards creating economic and social equity for Black Chicagoans on the West and South Sides. EAT does research, policy development and advocacy aimed at decriminalizing the informal economy that many rely on.





 
 
 

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