Helping Black Men and Boys Find Their Joy: Providing Counseling to Boys and Men of Color: Culturally Sensitive Theory & Practice
Written by: Nina Lanzillotta
Edited by: Shantina Washington
For the third edition of the Black Youth Mental Health Initiative, we had the honor of hearing from a youth speaker named Devonte and licensed Mental Health Practitioner James Harris. They discussed the barriers that make it difficult for Black boys and men to receive mental health support and provided solutions on how we can better support and affirm Black boys and men on their mental health journey. High School Junior initiated the conversation by discussing the pervasive impact of discrimination and depictions of racism in the media on his mental health. He underscored how this impact was collectively felt amongst his community, particularly among youth of color, stating, “If one of us feels it, we all do.”
Striving Towards Healing
Following Devonte’s address, we listened to the remarkable James Harris, the founder of Men to Heal and The Healing Hub. He is also the author of “Man, Just Express Yourself”. James served in the army for eight years before pursuing an inspiring career in the mental health field. He now holds a Masters degree in Clinical Mental Health from South University.
Harris commenced his keynote by emphasizing the critical importance of having conversations about mental health regarding Black boys and men. He underscored the need to raise awareness of this topic to break the detrimental cycles of internalized racial stereotypes and anger that so many Black men and boys live with. He noted the bi-directional nature of mental and physical health, highlighting how both go hand in hand and can greatly impact Black men and boys' ability to be resilient in the face of challenges. To implement healthier frameworks of support, Harris encouraged us to frequently check in on the Black men and boys within our communities, approaching them with a mindset of care devoid of any judgment. Cultivating spaces where Black men and boys can establish relationships founded on acceptance and trust is essential in helping them comfortably articulate their experiences and needs.The process of creating this space is not always swift or easy, but Harris shares that building these ecosystems of care creates a foundation for Black men and boys to initiate the process of their healing.
Feel Your Feelings
In his discussion, Harris also touched on the stigmas and stereotypes that detrimentally affect Black boys and create barriers to their acquisition of mental health support. Gender-related stereotypes that encourage men to be tough or the bearers of financial responsibilities minimize Black men’s ability to express their emotions in healthy ways. Oftentimes, Black men associate “help-seeking” with weakness or shame. Inaccurate depictions of mental health issues in the media are also unhelpful and serve to further exacerbate feelings of inadequacy related to asking for help or even receiving a mental health diagnosis. He offers his advice on how to mitigate this issue, bringing up practices like encouraging Black men and boys to “feel their feelings” and to “let them cry”. Relatedly, Harris shared that it is common to see Black boys mask their underlying emotions with anger. In response to this, he noted that it is necessary to provide them with the tools to recognize what sentiments they may be consciously or unconsciously masking.
Fostering Belonging: Supporting Black Youth Mental Health in Academia
In closing, Dr. Lauren Mims reminded us of the vision of the Black Youth Mental Health Initiative Grant
“The vision is a school community where Black students can be authentically themselves who are affirmed, nurtured and provided resources to cultivate their wellbeing, racial pride, and curiosity.”
To strive for this vision, we need to work together to create spaces where Black youth feel affirmed and accepted in their understanding of their lives. Centering parents and community members within this experience is also crucial for securing the vision. Dr. Mims' sentiments echo back to the beginning of the webinar, where Devonte emphasized the importance of facilitating and nurturing conversations about the state of Black youth mental health. Devante expressed,
“Maybe, the more we talk about it, it can help all Black youth find their joy too.”
Below are some key takeaways for how we can create a community of healing and, as Devante put it so well, help all Black youth secure their joy.
- Strive to engage in relationships of nurture and care with Black men and boys by developing strong foundations of trust and acceptance.
- Empower Black men and boys by providing them a platform to express their needs and utilize their insights to shape future interventions and practices.
- Be aware of the stigmas and stereotypes associated with Black boys and men and strive to rise above them.
- Encourage Black men and boys to feel their feelings by facilitating spaces that are free of judgment.
- Build rapport and trust where Black men and boys feel comfortable sharing their narratives.