Steven Twitch Boss, Suicide and Mental Health Resources for Black Men
The news of Steven “tWitch” Boss’ suicide last week came as a shock to countless fans and fellow stars alike. How could a famous person whose life was apparently filled with joy struggle internally?
Mental health professionals highlight the importance of checking in on one’s emotional well-being, especially around the holiday season. While the public doesn’t know exactly why or how Boss was struggling, his death represents a reality: That black men in particular have learned to articulate mental health struggles is a sign of vulnerability.
“There was this unanimous comment about how[Boss]personifies love and joy, but you can’t always assume that everyone is okay,” says Mo Ari Brown, marriage and family therapist, of Boss’ death. “We don’t always think that these societal pressures or systemic issues that tend to affect the majority of the group still affect that person. Sometimes that smile can be a mask for the pain.”
Read the obituary:Stephen, president, dancer, and musician of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, dies at the age of 40
The importance of addressing mental health issues
Overall, black Americans are less likely to seek formal medical care, experts say, and less likely to receive appropriate treatment when they do. This is especially dangerous for black Americans because they live under chronic stress, which experts say humans are not designed to do in the long term.
According to the American Psychological Association, chronic stress can result from factors such as poverty, family dysfunction, or traumatic early childhood experiences. It can lead to despair and hopelessness. Chronic stress in black communities can include everything from microaggressions to police brutality to working on the front lines during a pandemic.
“Particularly for black men, there’s a lot of pressure to be less weak, to always show strength, to never show people that things get to you, because that strength was also a tool or a skill that many people had to develop in order to get past it. Very difficult circumstances,” says Brown.
more:The health of black Americans is in crisis. What does it take for them to be healthy?
While talking to a trusted friend, spiritual leader, or member of one’s community is helpful, mental health experts note that it is not a substitute for working with a licensed professional.
“Usually the clergyman at the barbershop is the actual therapist, but you won’t be able to talk about everything,” says Benjamin Calixt, co-founder of Therapy for Black Men.
Calixt notes that sometimes a reluctance to seek professional help can also stem from anxiety about sharing what they say with others. But treatment must be confidential, except in cases to protect the patient from harming himself or others.
“No one should know but you and your therapist — find a therapist if that makes you feel more comfortable,” says Brown. “If I’m worried about what it’s going to look like, I’m like ‘nobody has to know now’. … It’s really hard to break free from constructs. We’re all exposed to these expectations about sex, but the truth is we all have feelings.”
Mental health professionals are noticing a shift in the tide when it comes to black men’s perceptions of treatment. And representation is vital: Both seeing characters in entertainment, such as Sterling K. Brown’s “This is Us,” attending therapy as well as seeing real-life therapists who look like their clients is an important reminder that therapy is for everyone.
more:Hollywood has a dirty history with the portrayal of mental illness. She is trying to do better.
Resources for the holiday season and beyond
The holiday season can bring difficult and complicated feelings. A 2014 survey by the National Alliance on Mental Health found that 64% of people with mental illness feel that vacations exacerbate their conditions.
For some, it may be because it’s the first holiday without a recently deceased loved one, Calixt says. Others may struggle financially and not be able to purchase all the gifts they were hoping for for their families. Or they may be very successful and feel extra pressure to meet or exceed expectations in order to prove themselves. Some may return home to families who do not celebrate their identities – or be excluded from family gatherings altogether.
“Winter in general and the holiday season brings a lot of loneliness to a lot of people,” Brown says.
Experts say being proactive about mental health can be a huge help.
more:The importance of finding a good therapist – and why it’s so hard
And the:More Americans have received mental health treatment since 2019, especially young people and women
- Google can be a great starting point: Calixte recommends using a search engine to start searching for a “therapist in my area” who deals with any issues a potential client is looking to resolve, such as depression, anxiety, or anger issues.
- Group therapy is also a useful option: Calixt says that for those who may be reluctant to meet with an individual therapist, attending a group session can be a useful introduction.
- Do hobbies that spark joy and reduce stress: Outside of therapy, Brown suggests trying trauma-based stress reduction techniques, such as listening to music, meditation, doing yoga, journaling, or using essential oils to engage the body and senses.
And for those close to someone who may be struggling with their mental health, experts suggest checking in with how loved ones are feeling, actively listening and following how they are coping.
“We have to constantly talk about this,” Calixt says. “We can’t escape from ourselves.”
As Brown says, “We can’t control anyone else’s story, but I really believe that the little things we do: the compassion we show, empathy, acts of kindness — go a long way.”
If you or someone you know needs support for mental health, suicidal thoughts, or substance abuse call, text, or chat:
Crisis and Suicide Lifeline 988: 988 and 988lifeline.org
BlackLine: 800-604-5841 and callblackline.com
Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860 and translifeline.org
Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 800-273-8255 and press 1 to talk to someone or text 838255 to connect with a VA responder. You can also start a confidential chat session online at Veterans Crisis Chat. Veterans Crisisline.net
Contributing: Alia Dastager
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