BUFFALO, N.Y. — It's an uncomfortable conversation that is hard to have in the Black community. However, a room with over 100 Black fathers sitting with their sons has them listening and acknowledging.
This event brought out Damar Dowell. He signed himself up along with his 14-year-old son to talk about mental health. It's an important conversation that Dowell knows is surrounded by stigma.
"I think it starts with me first as his father," Dowell says. "We have never really talked about the effects of years of oppression. But, I believe these great organizations are helping to bring that stigma down."
De-stigmatizing is a way of breaking barriers. The mental health event called, "It's okay to not be okay," works to do.
"There are others like us, who are doing great things, who are fathers, who are dads, who are husbands and love their children, and who are men of color," Dowell says.
According to the CDC, suicide rates among men are significantly higher than among women. Break it down a little more, last year's data shows a 58% increase in suicide among Black people.
"Get comfortable with being vulnerable and transparent in your relationships. It's super important because we're not used to doing it, especially as men of color; being open to communicate when we're not feeling well because we're not always okay," says Antione Johnson.
Johnson is the program manager for the Buffalo Fatherhood Initiative.
Until we get our Black men of all ages to have those uncomfortable, yet important conversations on their own, events like this will keep providing a safe space for the community.
"Surround yourself with good people. Surround yourself with people you can trust and talk to in times of turmoil and trouble," says Daniel Robertson.