In The Road Up, a documentary film by Siskel Jacobs, which follows four individuals navigating their pathway out of poverty, you see Clarence, a Black man in his mid-thirties struggle with opening up, being vulnerable, and asking for help. This struggle culminates in a scene where Clarence breaks down, revealing the weight of what he has been carrying, and what it has ultimately cost him. It’s a powerful moment but, unfortunately, not a rare one. Many men, particularly Black men just like Clarence, wilfully or unknowingly de-prioritise their mental health and leave traumas buried, often due to the stigmas placed on them by society.
Poverty is one of the most significant social determinants of health and mental health. Individuals who experience poverty, particularly early in life or for an extended period, are at risk of a host of adverse health and developmental outcomes throughout their life. This is magnified by the fact that so many Black people continue to experience systemic inequities that often leave them unemployed or under-employed – with one in five Black people in the US living in poverty as of 2018.
Normalising the conversation around men’s mental health is the first step. This means also taking into consideration the role culture plays. For example, research shows that many Black people believe mild depression or anxiety would be considered ‘crazy’ in their social circles. Yet, Black people are more likely to attempt suicide than their White counterparts. This is a silent cry for help.
Recognising the societal impact on mental health is also key, as many of the barriers people encounter in society (such as poverty, homelessness, and addiction) have direct connections to mental health. For example, Black men are over-represented in US jails and prisons, making up 13% of the general US population, but Black people make up nearly 40% of the prison population. And this does not take into account the struggles for a person to successfully re-enter society after incarceration or the high rate of recidivism.
If we can address and prioritise mental health, we can begin tackling the issues tangentially connected to them, so we need to support organisations moving the needle on this issue. Cara Collective, for instance, has licensed clinical social workers on its staff, counsellors who provide support and resources, and socio-emotional training to help people unpack whatever past traumas have brought them to this point. Because it is only when we address our struggles that the real healing can begin.
Kathleen St Louis Caliento, PhD, is the president and CEO of Cara Collective, a Chicago-based leader in workforce development that has placed more than 8,000 people experiencing poverty into quality jobs
