there comes a time when you should refer to a professional. Do the legwork for them, and find that professional. NAMI or National Alliance on Mental Illness offers a nationwide directory of starting points in each state.
3. Culturally why don’t men, especially black men, speak out about their mental health issues?
Dr. Gibbs: The pressure on Black men in today’s society is insurmountable. Black males not only need to be strong for their families but have to uphold an image of strength amongst other Black males. They also have to protect their families and communities. To this end, there is a strong historical component attached to mental health in the Black community.
Due to past events, such as the Tuskegee study of untreated Black males with syphilis, there are deep-rooted beliefs of mistrust in medical providers. Unfortunately, lack of proper medical access, practitioner bias, and persistently high rates of misdiagnosis may result in suppression or avoidance of discussing mental health concerns.
Additionally, some may perceive the acknowledgment of mental illness as a weakness or social stigma. One may believe others could fear them or not want to interact due to a lack of understanding.
Dr. Weatherspoon: Black men tend to ignore symptoms of mental illness for various reasons. A lack of education, a lack of health insurance, and the stigma surrounding mental illness are some of the more obvious barriers to treatment. In the Black community, masculinity is associated with strength and courage.
Crying is not as commonly encouraged among men as it is for women. Men who show emotion are usually viewed as weak and vulnerable. For this reason alone, Black men are not open to seeking the help of a mental health professional. Another reason is a decreased number of Black mental health providers. Culturally, patients seek out providers who are sensitive to their social and economic realities.
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4. What has your experience told you about this issue?
Dr. Gibbs: As occupational therapists, we work with individuals throughout their life span in the areas of physical and mental health. My experience has taught me that mental health disparities start very early on in life. Within the Black community, children of low economic status are exposed to stressors some may never see in their lifetime.
The majority of individuals in prison have at least one mental health condition. Care and attention must start with the youth and requires a family-centered approach. In the US, leaders utilize data from student success and school performance to determine the expansion of correctional facilities. The “correction” needs to occur in the early years. The “correction” must start with the misconceptions of the Black male. Both Caucasians and underrepresented minority groups alike have to change their perceptions and biases and identify support for the population!
If you have a Black man in your life please be a voice of reason and empathy for them. It’s not easy to suffer in silence, so be sure to take heed to the sage advice of our professionals. Thank you to Dr. Valeisha Gibbbs, Ph.D., OTD, OTR/L Chair and Director of Wesley College’s Programs in Occupational Therapy, Dr. Renata M. Weatherspoon, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC and Nick Bryant, owner of HoustonCaseManagers.com.
Daunte Henderson, founder of the MADEMAN Foundation, author, and educator based in Chicago. You can follow him at @brotherhenderson on IG