Trauma is an integral part of the Black Male American experience

From the origins of brutality, captivity and barbarism that marked the arrival of Africans to the United States; to the generations of marginalization and oppression that impeded their pursuit of freedom and equality; to systemic institutional and cultural factors that continue to impede quality of life at disproportionately high rates, it can be argued that trauma is an integral part of the Black Male American experience, as baked in as the legacy of mistreatment that continues to impact their everyday lives.

Ironically, one of the glaring byproducts of this legacy of inequality is a fundamental disparity in access to care for the very trauma and mental illness that it creates.

Drug Rehab USA created a black men mental health guide because it is not in the public eye enough and quite frankly, black men matter!

Here is the link to the mental health guide:

Black Men Matter – Examining Mental Health Issues Among Black Men – A Guide To Freedom

In this guide:

• From The Origins Of Brutality, Captivity And Barbarism

• Rates Of Mental Illness Among Black And African American Men

• Mental Health Treatment Barriers Facing Black And African American Men

• Mental Health Resources For Black And African American Men

Black Wellness Resources

Here is a list wellness resources here for you that may be helpful, prioritizing resources created by and for Black people. #BlackLivesMatter

• Fearless Action : Fearless Action empowers youth and adults by encouraging and teaching self love, self discovery and confidence through dance.(Salisbury, MD)

• Healing Black Lives, A Day of Renewal for People of African Descent (Online): facilitated by OneLife Institute

• The Nap Ministry: Rest as Resistance and Reparations

• BEAM (Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective) 

• Black Girl in Om: A meditation recording for Black Girls

• Liberate Meditation: Meditation app for Black, Indigenous, People of Color

• Therapy for Black Men

• Therapy for Black Girls

• The Safe Place - Mental Health app

• National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network

• Real to the People: Free therapy groups for Black womxn, gender expansive people, and people of color

Check on Your Strong Friends

In our lives, there may be one or two people that you can always confide in, but they may not always do the same when it comes to you. Their problems may just be their problems, and in some cases, they feel like they don't want to be a burden on you or others. Those people we call our "strong" friends. Yeah, y'all know just which friends I'm talking about now. They are there when no one else can be, and they always keep it real no matter what. That may be one of the big things you love about them. 

This week and more often than not I want you to check in on them. Give them a call or a shoot them a text, but however, you choose to reach out let them know that you are there for them as well. They may not come right out there and say it, but this gesture means the world to them.

A little love goes a long way, so don't forget to check on your strong friends. Let them know that they don't always have to be strong and that it is okay to be vulnerable.  

Now if you are that strong friend it's time for you to open that big heart of yours, but this time I want you to talk more than you listen. It's never good to bottle everything up, and by talking it out with a good friend you are releasing it into the atmosphere to allow healing of whatever situation you are going through. 

T. Neal | Cambridge, MD

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Disclaimer: Fenix Youth Project Inc. supports young writers and their voices and providing them with a platform to submit think pieces, poetry, short stories, and also reflect on experiences and program events. All blog posts are reviewed by the Executive Director, Amber Green. Blog posts are the opinions and reflections of writers and do not represent the organization as a whole. Questions and comments can be emailed to ambergreen@fenixyouthproject.org.