Our ongoing survey of Black residents in Alameda County found that Black men’s mental health in Alameda County often goes unaddressed. In fact, 23% of male respondents reported they rarely or never think about their mental health.
Reframing Therapy as Strength
Too often, when conversations turn to mental health and Black men, they begin from a deficit lens. The assumption is that something is wrong with the person or that their behavior needs to be pathologized. Dr. Bedford Palmer II, a psychologist and the CEO of Deeper than Color, challenges that framing. He notes that many Black men are already navigating enormous social pressures and responsibilities while showing up for families and communities.
Dr. Palmer explains that one of the biggest barriers to professional mental health care is the assumption that Black men don’t engage in therapy or emotional wellness. That perception can make therapy feel unwelcoming. Instead, he encourages reframing therapy as a space for growth, much like training at the gym. Therapy helps you build strength, develop skills, and achieve personal goals, not just address crises.
Masculinity, Responsibility, and Self-Care
Moreover, many men internalize expectations that masculinity means providing and pushing through hardship from an early age. Dr. Nekolas Milton, a psychological associate at Deeper Than Color, sees these patterns in his clinical work. He finds that many Black men are taught that being a provider or protector means putting everyone else first. Therapy, he says, helps men recognize that caring for themselves is part of caring for others. If you’re exhausted or emotionally depleted, it becomes harder to show up for partners, children, and community.
The Importance of Representation
Representation and culturally affirming spaces matter, too, particularly when it comes to feeling understood in therapy. Dr. Milton notes that many Black men feel more comfortable when therapists can relate to their lived experiences, and that therapy should validate the realities Black men face. In spaces where therapy may not yet feel accessible, connecting with like-minded peers and supportive communities can still provide therapeutic benefits, reminding men they aren’t alone.
For Black men across Alameda County considering where to begin, small steps can make a big difference.
Here are a few ways to start prioritizing your mental health:
- Engage in brief mindful activities that help ground you on a daily basis (e.g., walking, exercise, cleaning dishes, meditation, drawing, journaling, playing with your kids, etc).
- Schedule quality time for yourself weekly to decompress or reflect.
- Consider therapy as strength-building, not just crisis support
- Talk openly with trusted friends or family about stress and mental health
Mental wellness isn’t about changing who you are; it’s about making space to support yourself as fully as you support everyone else.
