Blackout Stigma | Best Self | Your BestSelf begins here

Celebrating Black Leadership at BestSelf

Regina Askin
Office Manager at Abbott Corners Counseling

Dominique Barker
Program Director of Lighthouse Women’s Residence

Kevin Beckman
Vice President of Health Home

Chenell Coleman
Assistant Director of Nursing

Shamecca DeJarnette
Director of Specialized Care and Mobile Services

Kelly Dumas
Chief Operating Officer

Jeanne Lumpkin
Program Director of Project SAYVE

Jerrell Mason
Director of Community Engagement

Mona Lisa McEachin
Lead Peer Trainer

Tylica Pope
Vice President of Specialty Substance Use Disorders Services & Housing

Danielle Prester
Program Director at Niagara Riverview Counseling

Jessica Smith
Deputy Counsel

Andre Stokes
Director of Specialty Substance Use Disorder

DeWan Stroud
Chief People Officer

Why we must Blackout Stigma Despite the needs, only one in three Black adults who need mental health care receive it. According to the American Psychiatric Association’s Mental Health Facts for African Americans guide, they are also: Less likely to receive guideline-consistent care Less frequently included in research More likely to use emergency rooms or primary care (rather than mental health specialists) Only 26.4% of Black and Hispanic men ages 18 to 44 who experienced daily feelings of anxiety or depression were likely to have used mental health services, compared with 45.4% of non-Hispanic White men with the same feelings One study showed that 63% of Black people believe that a mental health condition is a sign of personal weakness. As a result, people may experience shame about having a mental illness and worry that they may be discriminated against due to their condition. A health care provider who is not culturally competent might not recognize these as symptoms of a mental health condition. Additionally, Black men are more likely to receive a misdiagnosis of schizophrenia when expressing symptoms related to mood disorders or PTSD.

Kelly Dumas
Chief Operating Officer

We often use the term “creating space” – What does that mean as it relates to how we amplify Black voices?

“Creating space means just that! Don’t fill it up with useless words and noise. Acknowledge the intent to create space and define what you mean by this. Creating space for healing? Then open the floor and let me enter as I choose and allow me to occupy that space to meet my needs. Creating space for me at the table? Then pay attention to what voices are speaking at the table and which are being heard. Make sure you invite me to share my thoughts and ideas and don’t become defensive if they are very different from your own.“

Kevin Beckman
VP of Health Home

How do you amplify black voices in your community, with clients, and your own voice?

“I recently learned that the amplification of black voices, whether it’s the individuals we serve as an agency, the members of my community, or even my own voice, is more than just a head nod. It requires a concerted effort to let the individual in front of you know verbally (without question) that you are standing in support of what’s being said. And more importantly, that we see them, that we are listening to them, and that we support them.”

Jessica Smith
Deputy Counsel

How can other companies amplify Black voices internally?

“Hiring and promoting black talent is really important for a company to amplify black voices internally. Companies have to make the effort to ensure that they value black employees as members of organization, invest in their growth and development, and position them for success. Creating a company culture that embraces diverse talent will help to amplify black voices.”

Andre Stokes
Director of Specialty SUD

How can other companies amplify Black voices internally?

“Other companies can amplify Black voices internally by acknowledging that Black voices need amplification. Constructing a purposeful approach built with intent to encourage discussion platforms and actually utilizing the discussions to create socio-environmental enhancements related to race.”

Tylica Pope
VP of Specialty SUD Services & Housing

Jerrell Mason
Director of Community Engagement