Men on Chicago’s South Side are stepping up to discuss mental health and challenge longstanding stigmas. At Josephine’s Southern Cooking, a local entrepreneur, Victor Love, hosted a gathering focused on this often-ignored topic.
“This mental trauma can impact anyone, regardless of age,” said Love, representative of the Mentalhood Cultural Initiative. “It doesn’t matter if you’re three or eighty-three.”
Love’s “Mentalhood Cultural Initiative Tour” aims to create open conversations about mental health in various neighborhoods across Chicago. He believes these discussions are vital for mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness. “We’ve always been told to toughen up and just get by,” he added. “But our mental health matters just as much.”
Recent statistics highlight the urgency of this issue. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, around one in five adults experience mental illness each year. Understanding these numbers helps underscore the importance of open dialogue.
Karriem Watson, CEO of UI Health Mile Square, emphasizes the need for trauma-informed care. “Trauma can lead to changes in hormones like cortisol,” he explained. This knowledge can empower communities to seek help. UI Health offers free primary care for individuals grappling with trauma, emphasizing the importance of having supportive resources.
“See a therapist, have those conversations without fear of judgment,” Watson encouraged. He hopes such discussions lead to genuine change within communities.
This morning of candid dialogue was not just meaningful; it had the potential to transform lives, inspiring men to prioritize their mental health journey.
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