It can be hard to visit a physician to take care of your physical health. You may be forced to schedule an appointment when the physical pain is too much to bear, or it disrupts your daily living routine. Reasons vary among Black men regarding their reluctance to see a physician for preventative healthcare. It can be as varied as a general mistrust of the medical establishment based on generational trauma, the fear of a scary diagnosis, or a work schedule conflict.
It is even harder for some Black men to visit a mental health therapist. Reasons include the stigma in the Black community regarding mental illness, the fear of appearing weak for seeking help, adhering to the generational admonishment of “what goes on in this house stays in this house” and “don’t tell strangers your business”, and lack of access to available resources.
But if you neglect your mental health the pain can become too much to bear, and it can disrupt your daily living routine. The goal for The Sid Center’s Black MENtal Health Matters series is to help Black men utilize psychotherapy to improve their well-being.
Having an annual physical exam is an important part of your preventative healthcare plan. It can help you improve your life…and most importantly…it can also save your life. Psychotherapy can also help you improve your life…and it can also save your life.
You may need to work with a mental health therapist for a variety of reasons including grief, trauma, divorce, depression, or other issues that affect your mental health. You do not have to suffer in silence, or deal with your issues alone. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Consider psychotherapy as a resource to help you achieve holistic wellness so you can thrive mentally, physically, spiritually and financially.
