10th of October, every year is observed as World Mental Health Day, with the overall objective of rising awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilizing in support of mental health.
On Wednesday (Oct. 10) presents another opportunity to address the challenges, stigmas and need for help within the Black community in regards to depression and mental illness. The day also invites people to follow the examples of several African Americans who are working on mental health awareness and advocacy.
TV star, Kofi Siriboe, 24, who stars on OWN’s “Queen Sugar,” directed, produced and released a new short film about a Black man’s experience with “emotional distress.” The film, titled “JUMP,” explores the man’s emotional journey after the tragic loss of a loved one. Siriboe created the film after losing a mentor who committed suicide.
“If we don’t admit what’s going on to ourselves, we’re gonna keep hurting in silence, which is killing us twice as much as our Caucasian counterparts,” Siriobe said. “No one is gonna talk about it because it’s taboo. That’s what I wanna end.”Additionally, Chance The Rapper, who real name is Chancelor Bennett, donated $1 million to mental health services in Chicago, he announced on Thursday (Oct. 4). Several mental health providers in Cook County will each get $100,000 in grants as part of the plan.
