Research shows that black men are the least likely group of any age to seek mental health services. But a new outreach is launching in Cincinnati to change that. Rich Hall is launching a monthly support group for an age group where access is a challenge. “This is just going to be focused on getting support and giving them the opportunity to open up about what’s going on with them,” Hall said. New data shows that suicide rates among black men are rising. “Black men are the least likely group of any age to seek mental health services,” said Steven D. Knifley Jr., executive vice dean at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. “We experience depression and anxiety at rates equal to or greater than white men.” Hall started the group after noticing that while demand is growing in the Cincinnati metropolitan area, there are few options for them to get immediate help. “A lot of different stigmas and barriers make it very difficult for people to even wrap their minds around the idea of getting treatment,” Hall said. “And then you add on top of that, ideas that people have about masculinity and feeling comfortable as a man.” The group will initially meet once a month to provide a safe place to share and get help. Most insurance is accepted, and the cost of the group is about $50. Hall is offering a scholarship, so cost isn’t a barrier to getting help. “When I came up with this, I knew it was going to be kind of novel and some people would be weirded out to even come in this room,” Hall says. “But I still think it’s worth it.” Hall hopes this will be the first step in making resources more accessible and changing the conversation around mental health. “I hope they find a connection,” Hall says. “I hope they find support. I hope they really learn. There’s a space where someone cares, someone is willing to listen, and they don’t feel alone in the world.” To register or learn more, click here.
Research shows that Black men are the least likely group of any demographic to seek mental health services.
But a new initiative is starting in Cincinnati to change that: Rich Hall is creating a monthly support group for hard-to-reach populations.
“The key is to get support and give them the opportunity to open up about what’s going on with them,” Hall said.
New data shows suicide rates are rising among black men. “Black men are the least likely group of any demographic to seek mental health services,” said Steven D. Knifley Jr., executive vice dean at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. “We experience depression and anxiety at rates equal to or greater than white men.”
Hall started the group after seeing a growing need in the Cincinnati metropolitan area but few options for immediate help.
“There are all these stigmas and barriers that make it hard for some people to even consider the idea of treatment,” Hall said. “And then you add in people’s ideas about masculinity and what it means to be comfortable as a man.”
The group will initially meet once a month to provide a safe place to share information and get help. Most insurance is covered, and the cost of the group is about $50. Hall is offering scholarships, so cost isn’t a barrier to getting help.
“When I came up with this, I knew it was going to be a little bit novel and some people would feel weird even being in the room,” Hall said, “but I still think it’s worth it.”
Hall hopes this is the first step in increasing the availability of resources and changing the conversation around mental health.
“I hope they find a connection,” Hall said. “I hope they find support. I hope they really learn something. That there’s a space where someone cares and someone will listen and they don’t have to feel alone in the world.”
To register or find out more, here.
