by daniel johnson
April 28, 2024
The documentary explores mental health disparities in Denver, where advocates are calling for more support as suicide rates rise among Black youth.
A new documentary directed and produced by Bo Olagbegi focuses on the mental health of Black youth in the Denver area. Documentary titled “Unheard Voices: Breaking the Silence on Mental Health in the Black Community.” It was discussed during a panel discussion at the film’s premiere on April 25th.
as westword According to reports, Mr Olagbegi was impressed by the youths he featured in the documentary and also drew attention to the need to let young people tell their own stories about mental health. “It’s time to stop muting their voices and thinking they need to be in the child’s place,” Olagbegui said. “As we were filming this documentary, we heard from young people how important it was to have someone to just talk to, without judging them or categorizing them. And the 78 percent increase was… It’s the largest in our community when it comes to youth and suicide, and I hope this is a wake-up call and a catalyst to get something done.”
Jason Shankle, therapist and CEO of Inner Self and Wisdom and executive director of the Black Health and Welfare Coalition, believes that more Black mental health professionals are working to improve the mental health of Black men in particular. He told the outlet that it would help address the stigma surrounding health care. “We need more Black mental health professionals,” Shankle said. “I understand that you’re doing what’s in front of you. We have rappers, we have athletes, things like that. I remember seeing a therapist.
Shankle continued, “It’s important to sit down with a Black male therapist, it’s really important. I’ve talked to a lot of Black men. 90 percent of the Black men I sit with, This is what my life is all about.” This is my first time sitting down for therapy. ” I’m not saying white people can’t do it, but what I’m saying is that there are cultural competencies and areas that white people can’t do. In a sense, it’s just a members’ club. And in that regard we need to be more proactive in our healing. ”
For Tyree Williams, the focus of Olagbeji’s documentary, his appearance masked the silent war he was waging inside. His mother, Laticia Cunningham, said in the documentary that her son was always smiling and joking, but he also had some emotional turmoil. Williams, a high school student in the Denver area, died by suicide at the age of 17.
“Tyree’s path was very different,” Cunningham recalled in the documentary. “When I was 10 years old, I was working, holding two jobs, and he was playing with his brother, who was seven years older than him… He was still happy in the world, but inside he was He had his own struggles and he was struggling as well.”I had a lot of free time…and from there I started noticing more struggles. ”
Cunningham continued, “My daughter was in a traumatic car accident, and the conversation we had in his 17-year-old mind was that we couldn’t find a way for her to succeed.” The struggle was too much for him. He lost trust in the school and in the adults who were supposed to help the youth.”
Derek Hawkins, dean of students at Martin Luther King Jr. Early College, also spoke about how America’s socio-economic climate has left young people in limbo trying to survive. “In order to feel like ending your life is the best option, you need to really understand what these kids are going through.” What’s not enough? Where is love lacking? Why don’t we understand that life is beyond 15, 16, 17? ” Hawkins said.
Hawkins went on to say, “This is an epidemic among children today and everyone needs to pay attention, not just schools. They don’t have love at home. This country is so expensive right now. We expect our little children to do something to improve themselves in a world that is against them. It’s a mistake. The whole thing needs to be reconsidered.”
