On Monday, April 22, Marquette University and Milwaukee Public Schools co-hosted the third annual Black and Latino Male Achievement (BLMA) Mental Health Awareness Symposium. The event focused on spreading awareness and breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health among Black and Latino high school boys from 13 Milwaukee public schools.
The keynote speaker, Harry Evans, emphasized the importance of feeling comfortable enough to ask for help and not being ashamed to admit when you’re struggling. Roshaun Price and Rudolph Baker, ambassadors of MPS’ Department of BLMA, shared their experiences of learning to be more in-tune with their mental health as they’ve gotten older. Price emphasized that societal expectations of being tough can prevent people from seeking help.
Gabriel Velez, faculty director of the Black and Latino Male Transition & Dual Enrollment hub at Marquette University, stressed the importance of teaching youth that they are not alone in their struggles with mental health. He highlighted the various factors in Milwaukee communities, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and community violence, that can contribute to trauma. Baker shared that he’s been thinking more about his future and wanting to make his family proud by making thoughtful decisions.
A CDC report found that men are less likely to receive mental health treatment than women, and depression in Black and Hispanic Americans is more likely to persist compared to white Americans. The symposium aimed to address these disparities by providing a safe space for high school boys to learn about mental health resources available in their communities.
