Young Black people are increasingly becoming the face of suicide, and men are especially vulnerable. For Black males in the 1-19 and 22-44 age groups, suicide is the 3rd and 4th leading causes of death, respectively, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That’s why there’s a glaring need for therapists for Black males.
When it comes to mental health treatment, African-American men tend to receive lower quality care and lack “culturally competent” care that considers their culture, core values, and beliefs. When they are in need of treatment, they are often not getting it.
Only 26.4% of Black and Hispanic men, 18-44, who experienced daily feelings of anxiety or depression, were likely to have used mental health services, compared with 45.4% of White men with those same feelings, according to data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Thankfully, there are organizations that are doing something about it.
Below are 8 that provide resources and therapy options for Black males.
Mental Health Resources for Black Men
Alkeme Health: A digital platform that features a wealth of content from Black mental health and wellness practitioners. Check Alkeme’s list of resources for Black people in need of services.
BEAM (Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective): Comprised of a collective of “advocates, yoga teachers, artists, therapists, lawyers, religious leaders, teachers, psychologists, and activists,” this organization provides a directory of Black therapists certified in providing telehealth services.
Black Men Heal: This nonprofit provides information on how you can get free therapy sessions from selected providers. For more information, please visit this page and hit the “Apply Here” button to get started.
The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation: Founded by actress Taraji P. Henson and named after her father, this foundation provides links to licensed therapists of color. There is also information on free therapy access. To get started, go here.
Melanin and Mental Health: This group is dedicated to sourcing licensed and culturally competent mental health practitioners for Black and Latinx clients. Start at here to connect with therapists of color.
Psychology Today: This well-known mental wellness site has a national directory of African-American therapists and their contact information that you can access. To find a therapist in your own community, click here.
Talkspace: This online and mobile therapy company offers online access to licensed therapists. Click this link to get started.
TherapyForBlackMen.Org: This organization also has a digital directory of therapists for Black males. Click here for more information. You can also inquire about financial assistance for therapy, by going to this page.
