MenTalk Growth encourages Black men to seek mental health treatment

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Undiagnosed and untreated depression and mental illness are taking their toll on African American men. The death of a loved one suffering from mental illness led to the creation of a Jackson foundation aimed at stopping Black men from suffering in silence. “I struggled myself with his passing. It really took a toll on my mental,” said Mareko Brown. The 35-year-old Jackson man lost his brother Marcus Gray to mental illness in 2020. The then 43-year-old suffered from depression, isolated himself, and drank heavily before suffering heart failure. Brown started MenTalk Growth one year later to reach other Black men struggling with mental illness. “Men don’t really seek help when it comes to mental health,” said Brown. “So definitely wanted to build a platform that can aid in that development of and promoting mental health.” The foundation partners with the Department of Mental Health, holding seminars and workshops and providing resources for Black men dealing with mental health issues. Licensed Clinical Psychologist Dr. Bryman Williams said many African American men don’t seek help because they want to handle issues on their own and fear they have no support systems. “My main message to men is that...