April 28th 2024.
A thought-provoking new documentary by Bo Olagbegi has recently premiered, shining a much-needed light on the mental health struggles faced by Black youth in the Denver area. The film, "Voices Unheard: Breaking the Silence on Mental Health in the Black Community", was featured in a panel discussion during its debut on April 25th.
According to Westword, Olagbegi was deeply impressed by the young individuals he profiled in the documentary. He also emphasized the importance of giving them a platform to share their own stories about mental health. "It's about time that we stop silencing their voices and treating them as if they should just stay in a child's place," Olagbegi stated. "During the filming of this documentary, I heard firsthand how crucial it is for these youth to have someone to confide in without judgment or labels. And with a 78% increase in youth suicides within our community, it's my hope that this film serves as a wake-up call and prompts action to be taken."
Jason Shankle, a therapist and CEO of Inner Self and Wisdom, as well as the executive director of the Coalition for Black Health and Wellness, shared his thoughts with the outlet. He believes that having more Black mental health professionals would greatly help in addressing the stigma surrounding mental healthcare, particularly for Black men. "We need more Black mental health professionals," Shankle emphasized. "I understand that people tend to pursue careers in fields that are visible to them, such as rappers and athletes. But personally, I didn't meet a Black therapist until I was 32 years old."
Shankle continued, "There's a significant impact in sitting down with a Black male therapist. I've had many Black male clients who have told me, 'This is my first time ever seeking therapy.' It's not to say that white therapists cannot be effective, but there is something to be said for cultural competency. There are certain areas where white therapists may struggle to connect with their Black clients. It's like a members-only club, and we need to be more proactive in promoting healing within our community."
For Tyree Williams, the main focus of Olagbegi's documentary, his outward appearance masked the internal battle he was fighting within his own mind. In the film, his mother, Laticia Cunningham, shared that despite Tyree's constant smiling and joking, he was dealing with inner turmoil. Tragically, Tyree, a high school student in the Denver area, died by suicide at the young age of 17.
Cunningham reflected on her son's journey, saying, "Tyree's path was very different. At the age of ten, I was working two jobs while he was hanging out with his seven-year-older brother. He always appeared happy to the world, but inside, he was struggling with his own demons. Having too much free time on his hands was a trigger, and that's when I started to notice his struggles more."
She continued, "My daughter was involved in a traumatic car accident, and Tyree's 17-year-old mind couldn't handle the thought that she may not make it. Coping with that was too much for him. He lost trust in school and in the adults who were supposed to be there to support him."
Derek Hawkins, the dean of students at Martin Luther King Jr. Early College, also weighed in on the issue. He believes that the current socioeconomic conditions in America are causing many young people to fall through the cracks and struggle to find their place in the world. "For someone to feel that ending their life is the only option, we need to ask ourselves, 'What are these kids going through? Where's the lack of love? Why don't we understand that life is so much more than just being a teenager?'" Hawkins stated.
He continued, "This is an epidemic among our youth, and it's not just the responsibility of schools to address it. Everyone needs to take notice. These kids don't have the love and support they need at home because their parents are working multiple jobs just to make ends meet in this expensive country. We can't expect them to thrive in a world that often feels against them. It's not right, and we need to overhaul the entire system."
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