Monthly Spotlight January 2023: Therapy for Black Men
By Michelle Lunger
For our first spotlight of 2023, we chose to highlight Therapy for Black Men. Therapy for Black Men is an organization co-founded by the husband and wife duo, Benjamin and Vladimire Calixte. Both are fellow mental health advocates and professionals who started the organization due to the stigma of men’s mental health- especially for men of color. Therapy for Black Men recognizes that it may not always be easy to ask for help and are filling in that gap by providing quality resources, connections, and community. Vladimire Calixte says, “In working with men of color, I’ve encountered the ever present narrative in which Black men are told to ‘be strong’, ‘walk it off’, ‘don’t cry’, and ‘man up’. I’m here to tell you that these are the wrong messages. You’re not meant to go on your journey alone!” To make sure that they are not alone, Therapy for Black Men provides a database along with resources that are filled with multi-culturally competent professionals equipped to support men of color. Overall, “TherapyForBlackMen.org was born from the idea that Black men and boys face unique challenges and stigmatization, and therefore need a dedicated space for seeking and finding mental health support.” Men of color now have a guide and a pathway created by Therapy for Black Men as a bridge and a sign to take charge in their mental health. “As of November 2022, Therapy for Black Men has been able to provide $70,000 and counting to sponsor free therapy for men of color nationally.” We at Ride the Wave cannot emphasize enough the impact therapy can have on someone, especially for those in need. Just like Therapy for Black Men, we believe that “strength still needs support.” There is no shame in asking for help because there is power in finding support. Join us, as we stand with Therapy for Black Men to continue to break the stigma surrounding mental health and mental illness for men of color.
Learn More:
https://therapyforblackmen.org/
Learn More About Benjamin and Vladimire Calixte and team:
https://therapyforblackmen.org/about/
Find a Therapist:
https://therapyforblackmen.org/therapists/#
Donate:
