DELMARVA – July marks the start of Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, and there are plenty of options for maintaining good mental health.
Statistics show that black males aged between 15 and 24 are committing suicide, the third leading cause of death among the black ethnic group. Elisa Payton, director of the Phoenix Youth Project, said groups needed to have more options for vulnerability.
“We need to create safer spaces for them because they’re carrying a lot of pseudo-pressure as well and they need safe spaces where they can open up and be vulnerable,” Payton said.
Ian Holland, CEO of Mind Map Wellness, said the health of one’s mental health is determined by family genetics and biology. “It’s similar to alcoholism, you may be genetically predisposed to it,” he said.
Culture can influence mental health, and some families prefer to keep mental health within the family and avoid the stigma that comes with mental health.
Boland said she always advises her clients to get outside and get away from social media. “That being said, we may be relying on social media and not getting outside as much, so I’m a big advocate of getting outside and connecting with nature,” she said.
If you would like to schedule an appointment to receive assistance, Fenix Youth is offering free counseling sessions at 443-736-7028.
