New initiative in Tallahassee to give black men access to mental health services

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) – According to Mental Health America, seven million blacks in the United States reported mental illness last year. But that number continues to increase.

ABC 27 learned about new initiatives underway in Tallahassee to help break stigma and get people the help they need.

Calvin Bryant said he learned this at a young age and it inspired him to stand up for others.

“I’m very proud. As a man,” said Bryant, owner of 40 Caliber Fitness. “I grew up in this environment where you had to suppress your feelings and you just had to run business.”

This attitude led him to suppress his feelings to a breaking point.

“On the outside everyone sees one thing, but when I walk into the house it’s a whole different story,” said Bryant.

Bryant suffered from an untreated mental illness.

Dr Fran Close, of the Big Bend Mental Health Council, said Bryant’s story was similar to that of many other men in the black community.

According to the CDC, black men are four times more likely to kill themselves than black women.

“Just think of all the things that men, black men, go through with racism, discrimination in our country and think for a second about the impact that has on the emotional man,” said Dr Close.

So where does the solution begin? With people already in their life.

“In the black community, as a black man, we talk to our barber like a therapist,” said Michael Birdsong of the Big Bend Mental Health Council, Engage Committee. “This can be a perfect way to start this conversation and pretend I’m not a licensed therapist, but let me show you where you can get help.”

The Big Bend Mental Health Council, the City of Tallahassee and Black Men’s Health hosted an event to teach local barbers, mentors, coaches and business people what to do if someone they know needs help.

The training begins with the QPR certification, which stands for Question, Persuade, Refer.

It is a method for people who are not qualified counselors to help someone struggling with thoughts of suicide.

Dougla-Khan Stancil / Coordinator of Addiction Services Office of Council Services FAMU “ask the questions, which is a really tough question, if the person is having suicidal thoughts and is really trying to persuade them to live and get help and direct them to the appropriate service provider, ”said Dougla-Khan Stancil, coordinator of the Addiction Services Bureau of the Municipal Services FAMU.

“These people are the most trustworthy front-line people,” said Dr Kenneth Fowler, member of the Licensed Mental Health Council. “Sometimes we only have a small window to help people. If they are able to help them in the short term and guide them in the long term. We save lives and help people improve their lives.”

It’s something Bryant wants to take with him as he learns QPR training to be part of the change.

“I had to put my pride aside and start closing my mouth and opening my ears so that I could gain wisdom and help become a better person,” said Bryant.

If you need help here in the Big Bend, you can always contact the 2-1-1 helpline. This is a hotline offering free access to confidential information, referrals and telephone counseling services.