Speak up, the time is NOW
- Jun 10, 2021
- 3 min read
One of the hardest things to do when in need of mental support is making that first step.
This is especially for men as a whole, and even harder for black men due to cultural and societal and even economic factors.
Though there is still a long way to go in tackling mental health in the black community, the pandemic has made it worsen.
Covid 19 has devastated families everywhere and mental health has gone down during this pandemic, and Mind says, ‘existing inequalities have made mental health of BAME groups worse during pandemic.’
Photo by Anas Alhajj on Unsplash
A lot of the times in the black community there isn’t that comfortability in discussing feelings and mental health.
‘It’s much harder to speak about our emotional wellbeing, mental health is almost frowned upon in our culture. We are expected to be tough skinned. I do struggle for the fact of being judged, as I said in our community/culture as a black man we are expected to be strong
Samuel Mhamilla (19 from the UK)
According to mind.org.uk ‘national data shows that African and Caribbean men in the UK have a significantly higher likelihood of developing some types of mental health problem during their adult life (for example, symptoms relating to a diagnosis of schizophrenia)
The black community constantly faces one obstacle after another from casual racism to systematic racism and oppression, and this topples over all the common obstacles from non- black people, making it extra hard for a black man, to fully thrive, and especially with the pandemic.
Speaking with a black Clinical Nurse Lead, she brings the point of the fear of possible treatment differences when one has decided to finally get the help needed.
‘In general men tend to be reluctant in seeking help medical advice. Black men and especially from African descent do not seek help when at crisis point. This is mainly because of the stigma attached to mental health and also the distress that comes with the loss of their role in their family. There is also fear of potentially being treated differently from their peers of Caucasian background’
- Clinical Nurse Lead Practitioner Fatima.
Photo by Tim Goedhart on Unsplash
Black men struggle with mental health globally. For example, in Kenya, Africa, it is seen that there is still an issue with black men seeking help.
Iregi Mwenja, is the founder of the Psychiatric Disability Organisation Kenya and gives free mental health services. Mr Mwenja has said:
‘Society is not used to men voicing out their issues, noting that such efforts are often mocked, met with outright hostility and labelled chauvinism.’
As stated by The East African Newspaper ‘A report has shown that Kenyans are anxious, lonely, confused, stressed, helpless and angry as Covid-19 positive cases continue to increase every day.’
Often to be black is to survive, in every part of the world the darker the complexion the deeper the struggle.
Black mental health is at a higher stake globally when police brutality against black men and women still continues to exist. From the US, to Latin American countries, to Brazil, to Asia and down to the UK.
This is according to Anxiety & Depression Association of America.
All that being said below are some national and international helplines and organisations who are dedicated to the cause of bringing more awareness and providing safe spaces for black men
.
Black Emotional And Mental Health collective based in the US
Unison Benevolent Fund based in Canada
Or 1-855-9UNISON (1-855-986-4766)
‘a group of psychotherapists offering free psychotherapy to people on low incomes.’ Based in the UK
The Country Emotional Support Helpline based in Dudley
OR 08088022288
Black River Counselling- Based in the UK
0808 196 3007
There’s also an Instagram account called
Blackmentalhealthmatters_
A non-profit organisation and a helpful Instagram account that black people can follow to see regular posts on mental health and encouraging posts.
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