HELP US SAY HELP: Breaking the Silence on Black Mental Health

This past week, I had the privilege of attending an impactful documentary and panel discussion hosted by NAMI Lake County of Illinois. "H.U.S.H: Help Us Say Help" is more than just a film. It’s a movement. It's a cry for help. It's a call to action. This documentary is also more than just a conversation starter. It’s an opportunity to reflect on the silent struggles, the intergenerational trauma, the effects of discrimination, and the urgent need for mental health resources that meet the needs of Black families.

As I sat in the beautiful Genesse Theater, I felt a mix of emotions. I felt pain. I felt hope. I felt moved. I felt the weight of Black history pressing on my shoulders, that kind of weight that many African Americans families have been told, taught and trained to carry in silence.

BUT SILENCE HAS NEVER BEEN OUR SALVATION!

The Weight of Unspoken Pain

As a Black man, a husband, a father of two girls, a minister, and a mental health advocate, I know firsthand what it means to wrestle with the effects of intergenerational trauma. I’ve seen how unhealed family wounds—passed down like family heirlooms—can shape minds, emotions, and their futures.

Too often, Black families have been taught to endure in silence. We were taught to "Push Through", to "Be Strong" or to “Just Pray About It”. We adopted a mentality of “What happens in this house, stays in this house”, which keeps our struggles hidden because vulnerability has never felt safe. These sayings have shaped many generations, which is turning pain into secrets and struggles into shame.

SILENCE HAS NEVER BEEN A CURE! IT HAS ONLY DEEPENED THE WOUNDS!

The "H.U.S.H: Help Us Say Help" documentary captured this reality in a way that was both raw and necessary. The pain of our ancestors—passed down through many generations—still lingers in our bodies, in our minds, in our relationships today. But the reality is, healing begins when we acknowledge that pain! In other words, we cannot fight what we refuse to face. Yet, I truly believe that faith and mental health advocacy go hand in hand. God did not create us to suffer in silence, but He calls us to healing, to restoration, and to community.

Faith and Mental Health: A Necessary Bridge

As a Christian Minister and Mental Health Advocate, I’ve watched firsthand how the Church can be both a place of refuge and a place of resistance when it comes to mental health. We often preach and teach about the "renewing of the mind", yet sometimes we overlook or are unequipped with the practical tools needed for mental wellness.

FAITH & THERAPY ARE NOT ENEMIES! THEY'RE PARTNERS IN THE FIGHT FOR HEALING!

Jesus Himself was a healer. He met people where they were—whether broken, wounded, or cast aside.  Today, we need churches to be places of healing, not just houses of worship. We need leaders who will stand at the pulpit and declare that mental health struggles are not a sign of weak faith. We need Black Families to know that therapy, medication, and community support are not signs of failure, but are tools that God can use to help us recover. We must continue to create spaces where people feel safe enough to say, “I need help.”

A Call to Action: We Must Do More

Watching the documentary "H.U.S.H: Help Us Say Help" reminded me that advocacy is not just a day-job, but that it is a responsibility. We need more culturally competent therapists. We need more Black men to step up and say, “It’s okay to struggle, but you don’t have to struggle alone.” We need churches to open their doors not just for Sunday service, but for real, transparent and honest conversations about mental health. We need policies that ensure access to care, not just for those who can afford it, but for every family who has carried this weight for far too long.

I walked away from the documentary with a renewed sense of purpose and my own calling. It's not just to talk about these issues but to be a bridge between faith and mental health. To be a bridge between advocacy and action. Whether it's through ministry, inspirational speaking, advocacy, or simply sharing my own journey, I am committed to being a voice for those who feel unheard.

There is Hope!

If we are to break these intergenerational cycles of trauma, we must invest in our healing. Healing starts with a conversation. It starts with parents telling their children, “I see you, I hear you, and I believe you.” It starts with men knowing that their emotions don’t make them weak! It starts with churches creating spaces where people can bring their whole selves— whether broken, healed, or in progress of their own recovery. 

To anyone reading this who has felt alone in their battle, hear me clearly: You are not alone. You are not crazy! You are not beyond healing~ Yes, your pain is real, but so is your healing! Yes, your trauma has history, but it does not have to define your future! Recovery is possible! Help is available! And most importantly, you deserve and are worthy of both!

If you are an organization, church, or community leader looking for someone to help lead this conversation—to inspire, to speak, to teach, to advocate for change— I would be honored to partner with you.

Let’s start the conversation. Let’s break the silence. Let’s help each other say help.

Click HERE to learn more about the H.U.S.H documentary