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LOUISVILLE, Ky. — One in every five Americans live with a mental illness, according to the National Institute of Health.

What You Need To Know

  • A study shows one in every five Americans live with a mental illness 

  • The First Neighborhood Place is breaking barriers and encouraging mental health conversations among men of color

  • According to the National Institute of Health, men are diagnosed with common mental health disorders less frequently than women, and those who are diagnosed are less likely to seek treatment 

  • The organization's next "Black MENtal Health" event will be Monday, Nov. 11 at South Central Regional Library

The First Neighborhood Place is breaking barriers and encouraging mental health conversations among men of color. Administrator Ricky Owens said the goal is to create an inviting space and added his brother struggles with schizophrenia, a mental illness affecting how “people think, feel and behave,” according to Mayo Clinic. 

“Particularly Black men, historically, we have just been taught that we have to be strong seeking help, even from a therapist or whatever ... we’re trying to break that stigma,” Owens said. 

The National Institute of Health said men are diagnosed with common mental health disorders less frequently than women; however, those who are diagnosed are less likely to seek treatment. Despite this, men are nearly four times more likely to die by suicide compared to women, which is why the First Neighborhood Place holds “Black MENtal Health” events.

They discuss everything from mental illness and diagnoses, healing from trauma and toxic thinking, discussing relationships with their children, partners and other men, as well as encouraging vulnerability and openly expressing emotions. 

“Oftentimes, unfortunately, Black men, [follow] a lot of those negative statistical categories,” Owens said. “Just looking at that space and realizing that in order to address those issues, especially in our community, arm them with the knowledge and resources of ... what is the issue?” 

Chi Jackson, who attended the event, said he struggles with communication and strives to be better for his wife and kids, as he grew up in a single-parent household with his dad in and out of his life. But through these discussions, he’s now able to express his emotions.

“You’re free to be yourself at the meetings, and whatever is troubling, you can let it go without someone looking at you in a different realm of life,” Jackson said. 

Both Jackson and Owens said they hope others prioritize mental health needs for Black men.  

“Just realizing that, sometimes, letting things out is the beginning of the healing process,” Owens said. “We all want to be healed. But this is a situation where healing can also take place mentally.” 

The next “Black MENtal Health” event will be Monday, Nov. 11 at the South Central Regional Library in Louisville.

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