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8.The common action in suicide is escape: Shneid- If you or someone you know may be contemplating
man calls it “the ultimate egression (another word suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Life-
for escape) besides which running away from line at 1-800-273-8255 or text HELLO to 741741 to
home, quitting a job, deserting an army, or leaving reach the Crisis Text Line. In emergencies, call 911
a spouse ... pale in comparison.” or seek care from a local hospital or mental health
provider
The common interpersonal act in suicide is com-
munication of intention: “Many individuals intent
on committing suicide ... emit clues of intention,
signals of distress, whimpers of helplessness, or
pleas for intervention.”
10.The common pattern in suicide is consistent
with life-long styles of coping: A person’s past ten-
dency for black-and-white thinking, escapism, con-
trol, capitulation and the like could serve as a clue
to how he or she might deal with a present crisis

In addition, professionals should not ignore the
signs of mental illness and ask about suicidal
thoughts early and often during treatment and
provide collaborative follow-up

Prevention Strategies for Parents

• Talk to your children, teens, and young men
often about their thoughts and feelings. No dis-
cussion is too small or too big. Provide them the
opportunity to talk about their actions, reactions A THERAPIST’S LOOK AT THE CHALLENGES OF
or thoughts, whether or not feelings are involved ACCESSING THERAPY IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY
• Recognize common psychological needs that Michael Valdes, LCSW, MSSW, BA practices
teens have, such as a need for independence, psychotherapy at a private practice center By Halcyon Francis, DSW, LCSW-C
ambition, and affection among others. Address in Memphis, TN. Michael is a lifelong Mem-
them directly or through supportive acknowledg- phian with a passion for providing clinical I began my career as a clinical social worker in an outpatient mental health clinic (OMHC) located in Catonsville, MD,
ment that they have an effect on their lives mental health services for those suffering where I worked for 10 years as a therapist and as a diagnostician. Now, 15 years later, I have my own private practice
from mental illness and addiction.
• Provide socialization and positive role models and many of my clients are young, professional, Black women. I realized within months of opening the practice, that the
for men to look up so that “toughness” is seen as clients I once treated at the OMCH, were not the clients who were seeking treatment from me. It then occurred to me
multidimensional and not just a physical trait that the clients I used to treat, were probably unable to access mental health treatment with private practice clinicians
like myself due to several hindrances. In this article, I will explore some of those obstacles from feedback I’ve received.
• Teach young men the value and importance of
coping skills and handling problems, conflicts,
anger, or challenges in healthy and constructive
ways FINANCES
• Encourage them to seek mental health or sup- Let’s begin with the most co-pay could be as high has where a client lives. Out- mental health therapists
portive treatment to address symptoms of de- obvious barrier that people $30.00 per session, which of-pocket sessions are not with private practices who
pression, any other mental illness, or substance face when wanting to do can be cost-prohibitive, an option for many people, accept Medicaid as a form
abuse an activity to improve particularly if a client is therefore the discussion of of insurance. Medicaid
their lives: Money! Mental attending therapy sessions the affordability of therapy clients are often left with
• Keep them safe. Remove all access to firearms health therapy can be every week. If a person services continues to be the sole option of going
and all lethal means of committing suicide. Cre- costly. Some private doesn’t have insurance, an important topic. While to OMHCs that are often
ate a safety plan with them if possible insurance companies will they would have to pay individuals covered under overcrowded, with perhaps
pay for most of the cost out-of-pocket for sessions, Medicaid do not have to pay even a waiting list.
of a visit but a co-pay is which can range from $90- for mental health therapy
still due to the clinician. A $150 or more depending on services, there are very few

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