JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Undiagnosed and untreated depression and mental illness are taking their toll on African American men. The death of a loved one suffering from mental illness led to the creation of a Jackson foundation aimed at stopping Black men from suffering in silence.
“I struggled myself with his passing. It really took a toll on my mental,” said Mareko Brown.
The 35-year-old Jackson man lost his brother Marcus Gray to mental illness in 2020. The then 43-year-old suffered from depression, isolated himself, and drank heavily before suffering heart failure. Brown started MenTalk Growth one year later to reach other Black men struggling with mental illness.
“Men don’t really seek help when it comes to mental health,” said Brown. “So definitely wanted to build a platform that can aid in that development of and promoting mental health.”
The foundation partners with the Department of Mental Health, holding seminars and workshops and providing resources for Black men dealing with mental health issues. Licensed Clinical Psychologist Dr. Bryman Williams said many African American men don’t seek help because they want to handle issues on their own and fear they have no support systems.
“My main message to men is that it’s ok. It’s ok to seek services,” said Williams. “It’s no different than if you have a problem with your knee or a problem with your heart. There’s no stigma associated with it.”
Dr. Williams suggests you have an open dialogue with someone who you suspect may be experiencing issues with their mental wellness and locate a licensed professional.
“With all types of mental disorders, the more that you have them untreated, the more they can worsen, and sometimes, oftentimes times, it can lead to death,” added Williams.
MenTalk is hosting its second annual gala on Saturday, April 6, at 6 p.m. at The Venue By Roseburgh in Jackson. The theme is “Speak Up When You’re Down” The event is designed to bring awareness to Black Men’s mental health.
To learn more about the organization go to www.mentalkgrowth.org.
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