report serious psychological distress than adult Whites [2]. Psychological distress is defined as a state of emotional affliction brought on by stressors and demands. This distress, as a result, makes it difficult to cope with regular day to day living.
According to US Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, African Americans living below the poverty line are nearly 3 times as likely to endure this psychological distress [2].Therefore linking socioeconomic status, in turn, to mental health. Although we know the risks, communities of color lag behind in mental health awareness and as result fail to benefit from early and effective interventions [3].
This is what makes what occurred at the Gentlemen’s factory so powerful. Since mental health conversations do not occur openly enough at home or in highly celebrated and anticipated Black culture social gatherings like the cookout, in church, and/or while playing recreational sports.
This is where we need to bridge the gap. More must be done beyond just ensuring there are adequate and culturally competent services in place. We must also identify and create our own safe spaces in the community where we can begin to dismantle the mental health taboo.
DeRonn Kidd, from the Mental Health Service Corps and a ThriveNYC Speaker/Facilitator states:
”In regards to black men, there are two major problems. First, there is a lack of