Weds., Feb. 16 - Tues., Feb. 22, 2022 Weekly Print Edition
Vol. 108, Issue 17 www.thedailyaztec.com
San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
NEW BRC DIRECTOR Dr. Brandon Gamble has been named director of the Black Resource Center. PAGE 2
BLACK MUSICAL IDENTITY Listening to Black artists can be a powerful tool in the journey to unlearn self-hate. PAGE 8
Black men’s mental health matters By Morgan Prickett STAFF WRITER
As the outcries of racial, social and economical injustice flood the nation, so do the words of encouragement and support regarding the ever-so-important aspect of mental health. During the course of your lifetime, you may not be diagnosed with a specific mental illness, but everyone will struggle with their mental well-being at least once. A recent study published in the International Journal of Health Services gives us a peek into how the Black population in America is affected by mental health related issues: “African American adults are 20% more likely to experience mental health issues than the rest of the population,” according to the study. In turn, “25% of African Americans seek treatment for a mental health issue, compared to 40% of white individuals.” These aren’t empty statistics — they truly mean something. As a Black man myself, I understand many things that can affect our mental health. Some factors include negative stigmas and stereotypes (and perpetuating them), living in an area and with people that we don’t associate with culturally, the fear of law enforcement, the desire to hide issues and portray a positive and masculine image, and the simple
fact that growing up I was never taught the importance of mental health. Black men’s ongoing exposure to discrimination and institutional racism has created what Dr. Brian Smedley, the chief of psychology in the public interest at the American Psychological Association, referred to in an interview with NBC News as a “mental health tsunami.” “The combination of physical distancing, economic anxiety, and — for people of color — the very real stress from racism since the pandemic means that we will have a lot of unmet mental health needs unless we can dramatically shore up the mental health infrastructure,” Smedley said. Historical adversity, which is race-based exclusion from health, educational, social and economic resources, has resulted in the lack of access to healthcare and education for some Black communities. Combining this with the well-documented racism and bias within the healthcare system, it’s easy to see why so few African Americans seek help with mental health. Aside from racial, social and economical issues, there’s another lingering issue that keeps Black men, specifically, from seeking help for their issues: the notion SEE BLACK MEN’S MENTAL HEALTH PAGE 8
MI EXPERENCIA MUSICAL Como la música afro latina y salsa me ha enseñado basante. PAGE 5
BLACK EXELLENCE Black SDSU athletes share their experience with playing sports at SDSU. PAGE 12
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INDEX
Graphic by Aaliyah Alexander
Black men’s mental health is often overlooked due to societal sterotypes and lack of care.
News............................... 2-3 Mundo............................4-5 Arts & Culture ............... 6-7 Opinion............................. 8 Sports............................... 11 The Back Page.................. 12
