Volume I: Black Men & Therapy

The stigma around mental health and the black community has been an ongoing discussion for the past few years. If you are like myself, many families are taught that emotions and feelings about certain things in our life should be prayed on and suppressed. With the pandemic and social injustices that have occurred more visibly now than ever, it’s a clear sign that this has caused greater mental health challenges in the black community.

Many black men face a unique challenge with mental health due to the stigma of being strong and refuting any kind of vulnerability. This has caused a barrier in some ways for black men to consider if therapy is a safe space to seek support on their true feelings. I’ve reached out to (3) successful black men with a list of questions to get their take on therapy:

Interviewee #1

1. Do you go to therapy? Or, have you tried therapy?

I don’t go to therapy at the moment but I have talked to my close friends about going.

2. What is your reasoning behind not considering therapy?

Growing up you always hear “you’ll be alright or suck it up.” So that’s how I’ve approached my feelings. I don’t need anyone to tell me something I feel I already know.

3. What other ways do you cope with things that are impacting your life?

Music, art, and working out helps me cope with a lot. They really make everything feel normal. The sense of having a grip on something I can create or build brings peace.

4. What would you need or what would need to happen for you to consider therapy in the future?

Websites to multiple therapists in my area would help or push me in the right direction to consider it. I haven’t made the effort to make it happen, when I know it’s needed.

Interviewee #2

1. Do you go to therapy? Or, have you tried therapy?

I went to therapy, as a child, for a few sessions. Truthfully, I didn’t find it very beneficial. Recently, I partook in a virtual therapy session and sadly enough I didn’t find this one very helpful either.

2. Do you feel that you waited too long to seek therapy?

Personally, the traditional idea of therapy has never been an issue for me. I just haven’t had the pleasure of relating to an actual therapist that understands me. At this chapter in my life, I find therapy in different activities and/or social gatherings.

3. Do you feel confident that your methods help you daily?

After 31 years, I’m still standing so I would say my methods are working. Could they be tightened up in a few areas? Of course! The biggest room is room for improvement.

4. What would you need or what would need to happen for you to consider therapy in the future?

It would have to be an in-person session. In other words, I've always been very direct so I prefer one-on-one sessions. If I am able to trust an individual and that person understands me without much stress to these basic principles then I would definitely consider therapy in the future.

Interviewee #3

1. Do you go to therapy? Or, have you tried therapy?

No. Never tried it.

2. What is your reasoning behind not considering therapy?

I just never really thought about it as an option. I always knew but never considered checking into it.

3. Do you feel that you have or are waiting too long to seek therapy?

I don’t think I’ve waited too long but wouldn’t mind trying it. I do think I probably should have tried it in the past.

4. What would you need or what would need to happen for you to consider therapy in the future?

I think I would need more information and insight on the benefits. Is it actually worth the cost? How often should I go? Also I heard people should go even when lift is going well. Going just because you’re going through bad time is okay but switch it up time to time.

I appreciate the vulnerability in these men for giving their honest input on the questions above. The topic on therapy can be intimidating at times. Black people and people in general fight personal battles everyday. There’s no right or wrong method to cope with mental health challenges but some things are worth a try. In assessing these questions, I feel as though Black men would consider therapy if the platform were relatable and accessible to their needs. Not only that, Black men would much rather be open to talking to a black male therapist more opposed to a white male or female. Let’s be honest, it’s hard to express your true self to someone that doesn’t understand how it is being a Black in America. So I can truly understand how that can be a less appealing to Black men who would consider therapy. Despite that, I have researched a few sites that offer affordable therapy specifically for Black men and women. Take a look below:

Therapy for Black Men

https://therapyforblackmen.org/

Black Men Heal (free sessions)

https://blackmenheal.org/

Inclusive Therapists

https://www.inclusivetherapists.com/

Sondermind

https://www.sondermind.com/

Talkspace - Online Therapy

https://try.talkspace.com/