In recent years, suicide deaths have spiked for the Black community — and in particular among Black youth. On “Break It Down,” we chat with Dr. Michael Lindsey, McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research at New York University, to look at the stigma around mental health illness and barriers preventing children of color from getting the support they need.
There are many things that affect the mental health of African American men which are not fully understood by society. In his talk, Karl Shallowhorn reveals several of the issues (such as Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome and police brutality) that contribute to conditions such as anxiety and depression among Black men and offers solutions to combat these debilitating factors. Karl Shallowhorn is the Director of Youth Programs for the Mental Health Advocates of Western New York and President of Shallowhorn Consulting, LLC. He has worked in the field of addiction and mental health for over 20 years. Karl is the host of the YouTube podcast, Mental Health Verses, and is the author of Working on Wellness: A Practical Guide to Mental Health and Leadership Through the Lens of the 12 Steps. He is a person in long-term recovery from bipolar disorder and addiction. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.
With the rising rate of suicide and other self-destructive behaviors related to mental health within the African American community, we need to enlarge the platform and opportunities to discuss it in a meaningful way. This talk is yet another battle against the social norms that have proven to have deadly consequences among African Americans. While highlighting aspects of the African American journey, the opportunity for enhanced discourse is relevant for all audiences. Dr. Shaun Fletcher is currently an Assistant Professor at San José State University in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications. Dr. Fletcher started his career with the Center for Health Futures within the Florida Hospital health system, working to resolve issues related to cultural competency among health practitioners. His research and interests include diversity & inclusion, unconscious bias, career and life resilience, and mental health within underrepresented communities.
A hospice therapist's talk about the causation of early death, specifically in racially marginalized communities. Through a mixture of real life stories and healthcare facts, Ashley provides a powerful look into this preventable crisis.