NAMI San Antonio Intensifies Outreach for Black Men’s Mental Health, Addressing Historical Gaps in Care

In the fight to destigmatize mental health concerns within the Black community, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has doubled down efforts, particularly focusing on Black males, a group often overlooked in this crucial dialogue. NAMI has underscored the glaring gap in mental health services received by Black individuals, with only one-third getting the help they need. During Black History Month, NAMI San Antonio hosted an event on the east side to spark action and conversations about mental health. Eunice Grant, who sought understanding for her recently diagnosed grandson, attended. She told KENS 5, “This conversation…I would have just said, ‘pray for him, ‘he’ll be all right,'” admitting how perspectives have shifted within her church community to openly discuss mental health. The Bridges to Care program by NAMI San Antonio aims not just to inform but to also remove the associated shame felt in communities of color. Program director Nuria Diallo Padro pointed out systemic and historical trauma’s role, especially during Black History Month, as a time for both celebration and community-led solutions in support of mental health. Mental health struggles among Black American men have been on the rise post-pandemic, raising concerns that persist far beyond the month...