Black Mental Health Matters: Support 4 MFT degree

I will be going back to school in Family Therapy (MFT) at St. Mary’s college in order to become a licensed therapist. If you were to tell me years ago that I would be so passionate and focused on something other than becoming a professional soccer player I would never have believed it. I’ve been very fortunate to find a new calling (Psycho-Therapy). I am taking this step because mental health has never been so important to our society, especially for Black people. We need our own community to be able to process and heal with folks that understand what we are going through. Black male therapists are few, and far between and I am hoping to be part of a change, because we are so very needed. A little bit about my story and why representation in the mental health field is so important: The loss of my athletic identity after undergrad, coupled with racism and pressures of traditional/cultural expectations lead me into emptiness and depression as a young adult. I felt like something was wrong with me but I was worried about the stigma of seeking help. When it comes to our mental health the intersections where I reside as a Black male immigrant did even more to discourage me from seeing therapy as an important part of taking care of my whole self. Through sharing my story and connecting with others I quickly found the same hesitation Black and Brown folks feel about therapy. I see where I can be relational and understanding in navigating the world we living in as POC. According to the American Psychological Association, only 4% of psychologists in the United States are Black. Our community is experiencing greater distress than before and we need to break down the stigma of mental health support. I have always wanted to be part of that change and help provide healing and the time is now. This go fund me will help offset the cost of my education while I am in school and working to both pay tuition and support my family. Thank you for your generosity and for helping me in my journey to part of the healing force in my community.