HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — Michael Mathis said a member of his family did not seek treatment and suffered from depression issues in silence.
“He was very well known in the community and had a family with many children, but unfortunately his death was a suicide as he felt he had no help or outlet. ” Mathis explained.
Mathis believes her family’s deaths could have been prevented if they had an outlet for care and resources.
“Even his friends who knew about the situation were able to get him the help he needed,” Mathis said.
The family is one of millions of men who feel stigmatized for needing help with mental health issues, and the problem is even more pronounced for men in black communities. .
By 2021, only 40% of men who report having a mental illness will have received mental health care services in the past year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Even when men seek care, they often receive inadequate care, compared to 52% of women who report having a mental illness.
During Mental Health Awareness Month, local advocates aim to encourage people to take the first step in seeking support and find out what’s best for them.
Stigma still plays a huge role in preventing me from seeking help.
Mathis, president of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, vowed to capitalize on the death of a family member and the challenge of those in the community wondering where and how to seek mental health services.
“I’ve lived in Huntsville for over 40 years, and I didn’t know there were so many organizations dedicated solely to mental health,” Mathis said. “If I’ve been here long enough, some people probably don’t know. We’ve been working with the City of Huntsville and other community partners to set up these organizations to help people get information. .”
Mathis and the Omega Psi Fi fraternity will host a wellness fair featuring a Caribbean-themed 5K run on May 18 at Big Spring Park in Huntsville. You can find information here.
