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HL: What services does your orga-
nization provide?
Currently we provide free individ-
ual psychotherapy sessions and
group therapy to men of color. We
also provide mental health advo-
cacy/commentary, workshops,
speaking, and training for me-
dia, companies, & organizations
around how to make the mental
health system more inclusive,
tailored to, and effective for people
of color.

HL:What are some core concepts HL: What successes are you most proud of with
that separate your practice from Black Men Heal?
other organizations that provide That we have proved how strong the power of com-
mental health services? ing together for a shared mission is. We started Black
We provide precisely 8 free ses- Men Heal with absolutely no money, no funding, and
sions to men, which serve as a no resources. All we had was an idea and a vision
jumpstart to their healing journey. that we hoped other clinicians of color would share
We recruit qualified therapists of indicator of whether therapy will men. Outside of black fraternities, in and many did. With their support, to date we have
color who are willing to provide the be effective. the church/religious institutions, donated almost 400 free sessions to men of color.
services to the men. We ask the or barbershops-men continuous- We are also proud of the fact that our data is demon-
providers to reserve and donate ly lack having their own spaces strating that we are increasing men’s views about
1 hour a week (of their choosing) HL: Why do you think men person- of support, encouragement, and normalizing mental health, increasing their likelihood
in their busy schedules to service ally struggle with receiving mental healing. to discuss mental health with other men of color, and
the men. In return, we do the rest health therapy/treatment? Women have been coming togeth- many of the men actually do continue on after their
of the work. We have created a The 3 core reasons that men of er creating all types of support 8 free sessions and now pay for therapy. Last cohort
unique proprietary therapeutic color might struggle around seek- circles, and safe spaces for us to 53% of our men continued on with their therapist.
matching system that ensures the ing mental health care treatment be vulnerable, lean on each other, ty between the states. If you reside in PA and have This demonstrates the value and benefit they are
client doesn’t just get paired with is and uplift one another. Men need met all requirements for licensure in this state for receiving from therapy.
a therapist of color. We also study 1. Stigma-Within African-Amer- the same. example, you don’t meet the state requirements for
other variables that increase the ican communities there is still licensure in even neighboring states such as NJ, DE, HL: How can readers contribute to your organization?
likelihood a client and therapist the fear of judgment and shame HL: What are some things our gov- or NYC and therefore can’t treat clients who reside in Monetary donations- Currently building resources
will be a good match. Our system around mental illness. ernment can do to help men who those states. That also needs to change. In general, through funding is the most important way peo-
assesses variables such as the 2. Lack of Cultural Competency struggle with mental health? there is a huge supply-demand disparity issue when ple can contribute. Donate by visiting the website:
therapist’s schedules and distance in treatment-The fear that a thera- There needs to be amenable it comes to mental health care in our country. The https://blackmenheal.org/donate/.We also need
(to eliminate barriers)but more pist who does not look like you will changes in the managed men- shortage of mental health care providers is causing volunteer clinical providers who can treat the men.
importantly we match the thera- not be able to identify with your tal health care system such as a crisis but especially so for people of color when it We also take volunteers of all sorts and skill sets who
pist’s clinical background/skill/ex- unique background and cultural increasing and simplifying the comes to finding a good licensed Black therapist. can help us expand the mission nationally.
perience to the client’s presenting stressors. mental health care coverage on
issue; the therapists personality 3. Cost- Therapy is expensive insurance plans, increasing the HL: What are some challenges you face when dealing HL: What can you tell someone who is currently hesi-
in comparison to the client’s need ($80-$200 per session depending reimbursement rates for mental with men who struggle with mental health? tant to receive mental health services?
(IE; A client who might need a ther- on the city)and there continues to health care providers. Many li- The biggest challenge we face is not being able to
apist with a more nurturing dispo- be several barriers and restrictions censed providers in private prac- service the majority of the men who apply due to Everyone- no matter who you are, what your gen-
sition vs. a therapist with a more when clients want to sue their tice are opting out of accepting the lack of funding and resources to service even der or race is, how much or how little money you
direct hold no punches style). The health insurance for coverage. insurance because the rates are half of the men we get who apply. We currently have make-Everyone at some point on their lives is likely
unique matching system increas- so low yet the headache of billing, over 500 men on our waiting list yet currently only to suffer from mental health issues because life is
es the likelihood that our male HL: What do you believe is lacking admin complications, and clear have the means to service 75-100 men per year. But hard. 70% of people have experienced at least 1 trau-
clients will establish a positive on a national level for black men info about a client’s coverage is so hopefully that will soon change, as we are steadily ma –and trauma changes the brain and the way we
connection with our therapist. This who struggle with mental health? high. There also needs to be less building funding and also hope to replicate our model see, operate within and respond to the world. This is
is important because the thera- There are not enough safe spaces stringent laws of licensure from nationally so that men of color from every state can essentially what mental health is.
peutic relationship is the highest curated just for men and led by state to state as well reciproci- benefit from our services. .

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