November 6th 2023.
Artemus Johnson created Talk Trauma three years ago to help the Black community in Milwaukee. He noticed that many of his contemporaries were facing similar issues and wanted to create a safe space for them to openly discuss them.
He spoke to Spectrum News about his initiative, saying “I call it the safe spot for Black men because helping them out is definitely helping the community I live in.”
The National Alliance on Mental Illness reports that suicide is the third leading cause of death among Black men aged 15-24. Johnson spoke on this issue, saying “people don’t talk about how often Black men take their own lives. We don’t talk about those numbers.”
Johnson himself has had his own struggles with depression. He said “one of the most real thoughts I ever had in my life was standing at that cliff saying to myself, regardless of what was going on, that everybody would be OK if I’m not here.”
The American Psychological Association also reported that only 4% of mental health professionals are Black. This lack of representation in the mental health community makes it difficult for people of color, especially men, to find therapists who can understand the specific cultural nuances of their care.
Johnson said “men don’t deal with their emotions. Men don’t actually talk about how they feel. There’s an entire generation of men who raised men just like that.” This is why Talk Trauma is so important. It provides a safe space for Black men to support one another.
If you or someone you know needs mental health assistance, there are a number of resources available. Click here for a list of resources, or here for additional resources.
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