On Sunday, July 11, the Mental Health Council of the Big Bend in collaboration with the City of Tallahassee, Black Men’s Health and Florida A&M University’s Student Health Services is hosting its first Black Men’s Mental Health Training for Black barbers, coaches, trainers and mentors who engage with Black men and boys.
The MHCBB is leading this charge and anticipates approximately 50 participants. The free training is scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m. in the FAMU Grand Ballroom and will include complimentary lunch and a $25 gift card for each attendee. There will also be a raffle for a new smart TV.
The training is designed to equip those in trusted positions who, unofficially, serving as counselors and therapists for Black men and youth.
Licensed mental health professionals will provide suicide prevention instruction and certification as well as give culturally relevant presentations on mental wellness tailored for Black men.
According to the NPR article “Education Usually Improves Health. But Racism Sabotages Benefits For Black Men,” higher education attainment does not correlate to better health outcomes. Racism and a continued need for Black men to prove themselves are major contributing factors, which often translate into stress, depression and overall poorer health.
The Mental Health Council of the Big Bend (MHCBB) is a volunteer entity comprised of mental health subject matter experts, and related stakeholders, dedicated specifically to employing a data-driven approach to assessing mental health services in Florida’s Big Bend region and recommending strategies for improvement.
Black Men’s Health (BMH) is an initiative laser focused on creating more balance through health in men of color. The Chief Advocate of BMH, Jon D. Brown believes “barber shops, gyms, fields and courts are the therapy centers for Black men with barbers, coaches and trainers providing the counseling. Why not equip these community confidants with the techniques to recognize a client or mentee in crisis and refer them to a professional for mental health assistance?”
In addition to mental health training, FAMU Student Health Services, the regional leader in COVID-19 testing and vaccinations, will speak on vaccine advocacy and hesitancy. The City of Tallahassee will share information on their TEAM Unit, Individual Mental Health Assistance and Neighborhood Resilience Hubs.
For more information about this event, call Fran Close, PhD at 850-545-5808, or fran.close@famu.edu.
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