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Black fathers, Black brothers, Black sons, Black men, these words are for you.
With the weight of everything taking place within our Black communities, it is so necessary for us all to take a moment to recharge our minds, bodies, and souls. Although this is a revolutionary moment in history, on top of dealing with the effects of Covid-19, we must remember to check in with self.
As we scroll through our social media feeds, watch the local and national news, and participate in conversations with our peers, we are ALL overwhelmed with feelings of grief, hurt, sadness, anger, fear, and passion. We already know that racial injustice and racial profiling is nothing new to us, but to actually see disturbing videos of our black men (and women) attacked and murdered right in front of our eyes, it creates a deeper feeling of suffering and anguish within our subconscious.
Black Men, we know you hold the weight of the world on your shoulders, we know that you are racially profiled, we know that you do not receive the respect and honor that you deserve, We Are Here For You.
Here is a Mind, Body, and Soul check to remind you of your POWER:
For Your Mental
Mental health is not a popular topic amongst black men, but findings from recent studies by the American Psychological Association suggests that perceived racism is associated with trauma leading to psychological outcomes including depression, anxiety, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). (2011) If you feel that you need to seek professional help, please do not hesitate. We need your minds healthy. Therapyforblackmen.org offers a ton of resources created specifically for black men.
For Your Body
Eat well and exercise to maintain your physical health, but also drink lots of water and get plenty of rest. If you don’t mind male pampering, try some new skin care products made specifically for black men or get a massage. Spray on some cologne and put on your favorite outfit. See yourself through the eyes of the people who love you, especially if you have little eyes watching.
For Your Soul
Take some time to unplug. Affirm yourself, speak life into yourself, and make room for stillness and mindfulness through spiritual and meditation practices. YouTube has several guided meditations, affirmations, and other resources to help you connect with your inner power. Also seek guidance and understanding of who you truly are. You are the god of your own experience, educate yourself on how to tap into that frequency.
Black men, your mental health is just as essential as your physical and emotional health. What better time than now to get your mind, body, and soul in check. Remember who you ARE in a world that keeps trying to tell you who you are not, now TAP IN.
Resources:
Pieterse, A. L., Todd, N. R., Neville, H. A., & Carter, R. T. (2012). Perceived racism and mental health among Black American adults: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 59(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0026208
