Black men make up just 2-4% of the community behavioral health workforce. Research on the experiences of Black men in the mental health field is limited, but I can tell you what this has looked like in my life.
When I was pursuing my master’s degree in clinical social work, I was often the only Black person in my graduate classes, and almost always the only Black man. I remember being in classrooms where there were maybe two other men, none of whom looked like me, a situation I had experienced before. This made me realize that the pipeline to becoming a licensed clinical therapist does not reflect the growing need for mental health care in communities like mine.
I grew up on the West Side of Chicago, primarily in the North Lawndale and East Garfield Park neighborhoods. I’ve seen people in my family and community struggle with their mental health alone, unseen and unheard. The shame and stigma associated with seeking help have kept so many people in the dark. I chose a career in mental health so I could bring the light, see people fully and be a part of their healing journey, addressing trauma and helping to create positive patterns.
Now, as a licensed clinical social worker providing accessible therapy services at the Rush Center for Community Well-Being at Sankofa Village Wellness Center, I serve a neighborhood close to where I grew up. Access to mental health care was a top concern identified in Rush’s most recent Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) and Community Health Implementation Plan (CHIP). To me, this signals a shift: communities are looking at health holistically — not just as the absence of disease, but as the presence of whole-person, mind-body and systemic wellness. For the health care system, this means dismantling systemic barriers, valuing communities as collaborators and creating opportunities for greater diversity in the mental health workforce.
Prior to practicing at Sankofa, I spent two years as a member of the Legacy Mental Health Fellowship at Rush. As a fellow, I had the opportunity to provide mental health services at Rush University Medical Center while also working in Austin with the Institute for Nonviolence. The fellowship equipped me with the tools, clinical skills and confidence to better serve my patients and connect with other future mental health leaders committed to advancing culturally competent, trauma-informed care.
Having providers who not only reflect but understand the communities they serve is more than representation. It opens doors for minoritized people who may be hesitant to engage with mental health services. When patients see providers who relate to their experiences, it creates a level of comfort that can lead to transformative change. I can’t count how many people have said, “Thank you for being the person who helped me through my traumas or supported me in my everyday life.” Occasionally, when I don’t have a session and my door is open, someone will stop by just to say hello or offer words of encouragement after seeing me on a flyer. I’ve been surprised by how many patients choose in-person sessions. They want to be here, connecting, learning, and fully engaging in the experience. It’s been a blessing to work in a space where I am needed and celebrated.
You do not need to be a professional to make a difference in the mental health landscape. Here are three ways to help:
- Learn about mental health and talk openly about it to reduce stigma in our communities.
- Encourage and support young people interested in mental health and social work careers to help build a more diverse and equitable workforce.
- Lead by example and ask for help when you need it. Signs that it may be time to seek support include losing interest in activities you once enjoyed, experiencing anxiety or depression that interferes with daily life, or feeling unable to reach your full potential.
We all have ways of coping with life’s challenges. I have faith. Others rely on music or physical activity. However, none of these can replace the value of speaking with a trained mental health professional. I hope that sharing my story and encouraging others to recognize mental health as intrinsically linked to physical health helps create a world where care, empathy and understanding are the norm for every community.
Stay Rooted,
This piece was initially posted in Rooted, a newsletter dedicated to telling the unique and expansive stories of the people and communities shaping the future of health equity forward. If this work resonates with you, help us grow by sharing this newsletter with your network and following us on social media (LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram).