It’s Time for Your Summer Mental-Health Tune-Up
Breathe Brother- It’s Time for Your Summer Mental-Health Tune-Up
Did you know that June is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month? I don't think a lot of people do and that kind of explains why we need it in the first place. We discussed Mental Health Awareness previously, but not specifically for men. I was recently talking to one of my teammates from college and I asked the usual question “What’s up, how’s things?” His reply was textbook-
“It’s the same shit, I would complain but ain't nobody trying to hear it”
I reflexively agreed with him “Yep ain't nobody trying to hear it.” There was an immediate silence for a moment which sat heavy. The recognition and acceptance that nobody is trying to hear us talk about our problems.
For many Black men, emotional silence isn’t a choice — it’s armor. But that armor gets heavy. And this summer, during Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, I want to offer you something radical: permission to heal.
Let’s talk about three of the most common mental health challenges affecting Black men and build a plan to get our vibe right. 😌
1. Depression — The Masked Grief
Depression isn’t just sadness. In Black men, it often shows up as anger, detachment, irritability, overworking, or withdrawal. Many of us learn to “perform” happiness, while silently battling an inner storm. Unfortunately, systemic mistrust of healthcare, cultural stigma, and a lack of culturally aware providers keeps too many of us from getting help.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, over 7 million Black adults reported a major depressive episode in 2023 — but less than 40% received treatment.
Symptoms Include:
Loss of interest in things you used to love
Fatigue, insomnia or oversleeping
Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
Emotional numbness or emotional volatility
Treatment Snapshot
Pros:
Antidepressants can be life-saving for moderate to severe depression
Talk therapy (CBT, IPT) offers long-term benefits and skill-building
Cons:
Side effects may include weight gain, decreased libido, nausea
Access to culturally competent therapists remains limited
Holistic Supports:
Daily movement — 30 minutes of walking improves mood and boosts serotonin
Sunlight — Just 15–30 minutes a day increases vitamin D, critical for mood regulation
CBD — Early studies suggest antidepressant-like effects via serotonin receptors
Pearls:
Black men are 40% less likely than white men to receive treatment for depression.
Low vitamin D levels are linked to higher depression risk.
Exercise is as effective as antidepressants for mild depression in some cases.
2. Anxiety — Survival Mode That Won’t Shut Off
Anxiety is more than “worry.” It’s living in a constant state of alert, even when there’s no clear threat. Many Black men experience chronic anxiety rooted in systemic racism, unsafe communities, and the stress of navigating environments that perceive us as threats. Unfortunately, this state of hypervigilance becomes normalized — until we burn out. Read our article on CBD and anxiety here.
Studies show Black adults are more likely to experience symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder, but are less likely to receive a diagnosis or treatment.
Symptoms Include:
Restlessness, irritability
Chest tightness, rapid heart rate
Overthinking, racing thoughts
Sleep disturbance
Treatment Snapshot
Pros:
SSRIs and SNRIs reduce chronic anxiety effectively
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) helps retrain anxious thought loops
Cons:
Can take 4–6 weeks to work
May cause side effects such as sexual dysfunction or fatigue
Therapy access and affordability remain barriers
Holistic Supports:
Breathwork — Techniques like 4-7-8 breathing regulate the nervous system
Black-led meditation apps like Liberate and Alkeme offer culturally relevant mindfulness
CBD reduces anxiety in social stress according to some studies.
Pearls:
Anxiety disorders affect over 19% of adults — but are underdiagnosed in Black men.
Daily aerobic exercise reduces anxiety symptoms by 60% in clinical trials.
CBD shows measurable reductions in stress-induced cortisol spikes.
3. Trauma & PTSD — Wounds You Can’t See
For many Black men, trauma doesn’t begin with one event — it’s a lifetime of exposure. Urban environments often mean witnessing violence, being over-policed, and losing loved ones. This chronic exposure can lead to urban-based complex PTSD, which may go unrecognized for years. For a deeper dive into CBD and PTSD, read our previous post.
For perspective, a 2021 study found that nearly 30% of Black men in high-poverty neighborhoods met the criteria for PTSD, yet the majority had no diagnosis or access to therapy.
PTSD Symptoms:
Hypervigilance and startle response
Irritability, anger, emotional shutdown
Intrusive thoughts or memories
Avoidance of people, places, or conversations
Treatment Snapshot
Pros:
EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) and somatic experiencing offer deep trauma healing
Support groups (in-person or virtual) provide community relief
Cons:
These therapies can be emotionally demanding
Few providers are trained in race-conscious, trauma-informed care
Urban PTSD Context:
Constant exposure to violence and instability conditions young Black men to expect harm.
Schools, workplaces, and police encounters often reinforce this stress.
Healing begins by naming trauma — and refusing to normalize it.
CBD & Cannabis Use:
Some research shows CBD reduces PTSD-related nightmares and stress responses
However, heavy THC use without therapy may worsen dissociation or motivation
Pearls:
Black men in urban areas experience PTSD at rates similar to war veterans.
Trauma can impact physical health, memory, relationships, and emotion regulation.
CBD may reduce trauma-induced sleep disturbances and hyperarousal.
Real Support. Real Options.
Rolling It All Up
After sitting in that heavy silence for a moment on that call I took the first step. I said "isn't crazy that we’re middle aged men going through all this stuff and nobody prepared us for it? It’s like they just rolled the ball out and said go be an adult, figure it out”. 😂
We both got a laugh out of the absurdity of it and then we started talking. We talked for about an hour, we laughed, we also talked about heavy things, health, kids going to college, relationships. It was therapeutic for both of us to have that talk. We both had things we needed to get off our minds 🙂
Here are some takeaways:
🟢 Depression is not weakness.
🟢 Anxiety is not just “overthinking.”
🟢 Trauma is not your personality — it’s a wound that can heal.
Need Help Getting Started?
📧 Email Dr. Damas at hello@drdamas.com
🛒 Explore our full CBD line at https://drdamas.com/shop/
📱 Share this with a brother who’s been quiet lately
🌞 Get outside. Move your body. Let the sun power you up
(Don’t try to push through by yourself 👎🏾)
(And don't forget to show gratitude 🙏🏾)