By Bryce Gay, Junior Sports Management Major
Mental health within the Black community, especially among Black men and college students, deserves more than occasional attention. It deserves honest conversations, safe spaces, and consistent support. According to the American Psychiatric Association, Black adults in the United States are more likely to experience feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and emotional distress, yet are less likely to receive mental health treatment compared to white adults. Too often, Black men are taught from a young age to suppress their emotions. Phrases like “man up” or “men don’t cry” may seem harmless, but over time, they create a dangerous stigma that encourages young men to hide pain instead of addressing it in healthy ways.
For many college students, life already comes with pressure from academics, finances, relationships, family expectations, and the uncertainty of figuring out the future. For Black students, there can also be an unspoken pressure to always appear strong, confident, and emotionally unshaken. Vulnerability is often mistaken for weakness when, in reality, it takes tremendous strength to admit when you are struggling.
That is why creating spaces for open dialogue matters so much. This year, as a student leader and former Mister Sophomore at Livingstone College, I had the opportunity to host a Barbershop Mental Health Talk, and it became one of the most meaningful experiences I have witnessed on campus. In the Black community, the barbershop has always been more than a place for haircuts. It is a cultural space where stories are shared, advice is given, and real conversations happen naturally. Bringing mental health discussions into that environment allowed many men to open up in ways they normally would not.
Students spoke honestly about stress, anxiety, family struggles, heartbreak, depression, and the pressure of carrying emotional burdens in silence. Some conversations were difficult, but they were necessary. What became clear is that many people are fighting silent battles while feeling like they have nowhere to turn. Sometimes all a person truly needs is a space where they feel heard instead of judged.
I also hosted a Rhythm and Rhyme event, which gave students another outlet to express themselves creatively through poetry, music, and spoken word. It was powerful to watch students step outside of their comfort zones and share emotions they may have never spoken aloud before. Events like these remind us that healing does not always look the same for everyone. Sometimes healing begins through conversation, while other times it starts through art, storytelling, or music.
What stood out to me most from both events was how many students said they finally felt seen. That feeling matters more than people realize because too many individuals struggle in silence, believing nobody understands what they are going through. When people see others speaking openly about mental health, it creates permission for them to do the same.
Breaking the stigma surrounding mental health in the Black community will not happen overnight, but change begins with conversation. It begins with creating environments where honesty is welcomed and vulnerability is not viewed as weakness. Black men, especially, deserve to know that strength is not measured by how much pain they can hide. Real strength is acknowledging emotions, seeking support, and choosing healing instead of silence.
Mental health awareness cannot only exist for one month out of the year. It must remain a continuous effort on college campuses and within our communities. Schools should continue investing in programs, discussions, and events that encourage students to prioritize their emotional well-being. More importantly, we as students must continue checking in on one another, listening without judgment, and making room for authentic conversations.
At the end of the day, everyone is carrying something others may not see. A conversation, supportive environment, or simple reminder that someone is not alone can make a life-changing difference. By continuing to speak openly about mental health, especially among Black men and college students, we can help create a culture where vulnerability is embraced, support is normalized, and nobody feels forced to suffer in silence.
