Florida A&M University and the Mental Health Council of the Big Bend have a training opportunity for Black men who unofficially serve as counselors and therapists in the community.
The council is collaborating with the university to host the second annual Black Men’s Mental Health Training titled “The Man in the Mirror” 1-4 p.m. Sunday at FAMU’s Grand Ballroom. It is designed for Black barbers, coaches, trainers and mentors who work with Black men and youth.
A complimentary lunch will be served at the free event, and a $25 Walmart gift card will be given to the first 40 attendees.
“I believe barber shops, gyms, fields and courts are the therapy centers for Black men with barbers, coaches and trainers providing the counseling,” Jon Brown, chief advocate for Black Men’s Health, said in a release. “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?”
The Mental Health Council of the Big Bend is a volunteer, community organization of mental health experts and stakeholders who have the goal of assessing counseling services in Florida’s Big Bend region while recommending ways for improvement.
During the Sunday afternoon event, licensed mental health professionals will provide suicide prevention instruction and certification, and they will also share presentations on mental wellness trends that have a focus on Black men.
A panel discussion will also take place — moderated by Brown — with speakers including Adam Baptiste, a statewide collaborative coordinator for the Florida Maternal Mental Health Collaborative, Sam Carter, the executive director of Carter’s Corner and Gerald Williams, vice president of the 100 Black Men of America Tallahassee Chapter.
Individuals can RSVP for the event at bit.ly/blackmensmentalhealth.
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Contact Tarah Jean at tjean@tallahassee.com or follow her on X: @tarahjean_.