Black Men and Mental Health
Black men are expected to be the most patient, but are the most abused - Author.
Black men are less likely to seek physical and mental health services due to mistrust, trained masculinity, and other obstacles (stigma, lack of resources, and lack of access to culturally responsive care).
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Historical dehumanization, oppression, and violence against Black people has evolved into present day traumas and has cultivated a mistrust in systems and institutions. Black men process and deal with layers of individual trauma on top of new mass traumas from COVID-19 (uncertainty, isolation, grief from financial or human losses) and the increased media exposure to police brutality. The police system, a system designed to protect and serve, but with a history of abuse and destruction to Black people. The medical system also has a history of abusing black people such as in the U.S. Public Health Service Syphilis Study at Tuskegee. Mistrust can keep Black men from receiving needed services to maintain and restore a healthy body and mind.
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Trained Masculinity
Trained masculinity can increase psychological and emotional challenges such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Media has a history of portraying Black men as overly masculine and in many cases aggressive and hypersexual. Open displays of emotion are often frowned upon and not socially acceptable, sending a message to Black men that to be accepted, they must fit a particular gender role and suffer in silence, no tears and no words! Black men are expected to be strong and resilient physically. They are encouraged to do well in athletics and to engage and thrive in physical activities, but not in activities that promote learning or emotional and mental growth. In order for Black men to seek and receive help, they must be willing to be vulnerable enough to admit that they need help and ask for it. It takes courage to deviate from the expectations of being tough and solid.
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Advocating for Mental Health
Despite the mistrust and trained masculinity, more Black men are sharing their experiences with mental health. The music mogul Jay-Z discussed his own experience with therapy and "the ridiculousness of the stigma" attached to mental health issues. The pro football player Dak Prescott added that "it’s important for leaders to be vulnerable, to be genuine, and to be transparent," after his experience with anxiety and depression. The creative genius Kanye West said "people use the word crazy to stop uncomfortable conversations." The superstar Dwayne Johnson stated "asking for help is a super power, we fall into the trap of always being strong and we have to learn how to embrace vulnerability." The movie star Michael B. Jordan said "just talking to a therapist helped me, and everybody needs to unpack and talk." Love yourself, Free Yourself, Be Yourself!
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3 Truths for Black Men to Remember:
- You deserve love in many forms.
Start with self-love. You may have responsibilities to love others, but prioritizing mental and physical wellness so that you can be more present for those who love and depend on you is essential.
- Mental health counseling is confidential.
Mental health counselors are ethically bound to maintain confidentiality, unless you are a threat to yourself or others. I encourage you to share you hurt and pain. Life can be lighter when you don't have to carry hurt and pain alone.
- There is healing and growth in counseling.
Counseling is for anyone and everyone that needs nonjudgmental space to explore thoughts, behaviors, and experiences. Many times the most courageous gesture we can make is to open our mind and heart. There is a space for you.
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What are some other truths for black men to remember?
What was beneficial about this post?
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Wear Love @ https://livelongnfree.com
Mental Health Therapy @ https://headway.co/providers/isiah-lacefield