Instructor: Dr. Ritch Hall II

This class is designed for mental health professionals, educators, consumers, and Black men at-large seeking to deepen their understanding of the unique mental health experiences of Black men. Through an Afrocentric lens, the presentation explores how systemic racism, cultural expectations, and historical trauma shape mental health pathology and treatment needs for Black men in America.

Black men face intersecting pressures—racialized trauma, economic disparities, health inequities, and masculine role expectations—that often go unaddressed in traditional clinical models. Standard diagnostic frameworks frequently miss the cultural nuance of these experiences, contributing to misdiagnosis, underdiagnosis, or ineffective treatment.

This presentation introduces participants to a culturally responsive approach that centers Black men’s lived experiences. The session provides practical tools for working more effectively with Black male clients and offers guidance for Black men seeking to improve their mental health and engage in therapeutic support.

Topics include:

How anti-Blackness and systemic racism impact emotional expression and coping

The role of masculinity and cultural stigma in treatment engagement

Understanding racialized trauma and stress-related pathology in Black men

Adapting therapeutic interventions to align with cultural values and strengths