A Powerful Voice for Black Youth
A new documentary titled “Voices Unheard: Breaking the Silence on Mental Health in the Black Community,” directed and produced by Bo Olagbegi, is shining a much-needed light on the mental health struggles faced by Black youth in the Denver area.
The film, which premiered on April 25, tackles the alarming rise in suicide rates among Black youth, highlighting the urgent need for increased support and resources.
“It’s about time for us to stop muting them and thinking that they need to be in a child’s place,” Olagbegi said, emphasizing the importance of allowing young people to share their stories and experiences without judgment.
Giving Youth a Platform
Through the documentary, Olagbegi aims to amplify the voices of Black youth and provide them with a platform to express their struggles openly. One of the film’s subjects, Tyree Williams, a 17-year-old high school student who tragically died by suicide, serves as a poignant reminder of the silent battles many young people face.
“At ten, I’m at work — working two jobs — and he was hanging out with his brother, who’s seven years older than him… He was still happy to the world, but inside he had his own struggles and he just had too much free time…and that’s where I started noticing more of the struggle,” recalled Tyree’s mother, Laticia Cunningham.
Addressing Mental Health Disparities
The documentary and accompanying panel discussion also highlighted the urgent need for increased access to mental health resources and support within the Black community. Jason Shankle, a therapist and CEO of Inner Self and Wisdom, emphasized the importance of having more Black mental health professionals to help address the stigma surrounding mental healthcare.
“We need more Black mental health professionals,” Shankle stated. “I get that you do what’s in front of you — we’ve got rappers, we’ve got athletes, things like that. I remember when I decided to become a therapist, I didn’t meet a Black therapist until I was 32 years old.”
A Call for Systemic Change
Derek Hawkins, the dean of students at the Martin Luther King Jr Early College, shed light on the socioeconomic factors contributing to the mental health crisis among Black youth. He pointed out the need for systemic changes to address the overwhelming pressures and lack of support faced by young people.
“It is an epidemic amongst our kids today, and it is something that everybody — not just the schools — everybody needs to pay attention to. They don’t have the love at home. Mom and Dad are working two and three jobs because this country is so expensive to live in now. And we expect our little kids to do something to raise their self in a world that’s against them. It’s not right. The whole thing needs to be overhauled,” Hawkins stated.
Through its powerful storytelling and expert insights, “Voices Unheard” serves as a clarion call for increased awareness, support, and action to address the mental health struggles of Black youth and combat the rising mental health crisis within this vulnerable community.
