This episode focuses on black men and their mental health, the stigma behind black men being hesitant to going to counseling, the lack of black men (representation) in the field of mental health, from both the professional sense as well as the collegiate sense when it comes to the lack of applicants and lack of quality counseling programs at HBCUs, how religious stereotypes such as just "praying things away" have played such a detrimental part in the black community that forced us to ignore seeking the professional help we need during our darkest times, and just how to deal with the everyday struggles and anxiety just being a black man in this world. I had the pleasure to speak with two prominent black men who are both mental health counselors. Dr. Romero Huffstead, Ph.D, M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a Counseling Psychologist who focus is more specifically on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at Emory University and Dr. David J. Ford Jr., Ph.D., LCMHC (NC) LPC (VA, NJ), NCC, ACS,  Assistant Professor in Professional Counseling at Monmouth University, as well as an advocate mental health in the black community, LGBTQ community, and all minorities. The black men shared some great insight on the different ways that we as black men can and have to take care of ourselves when it comes to prioritizing our mental health and not just suppress it. Some many times as black men, we are told you to "suck it up" or "not show emotions" because "men aren't supposed to cry or have feelings" which has been such a discouraging stigma that has been passed down from so many generations. 

Black men today are realizing that it is okay to not be okay and to show more compassion, affection, and emotions because we are human beings with feelings too. This is the first of many episodes specifically pertaining to mental health which has been much more in the forefront in today's society when it comes to making all aspects of your health a priority, not just your physical health.

As we all know, sometimes the weight that you need to lose, isn't the physical weight.

Thanks again to my guests, Dr. Romero Huffstead and Dr. David Ford for sharing such helpful information from their professional experience. I look forward to having them on the show again. BLACK MEN PLEASE PRIORITIZE YOUR MENTAL HEALTH. IT IS IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO KNOW THAT YOU AND YOUR FEELINGS MATTER SO SEEK PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING TO GET THE VERY HELP YOU NEED.