A new documentary directed and produced by Bo Olagbegi is addressing the mental health of Black youth in the Denver area. The documentary, titled “Voices Unheard: Breaking the Silence on Mental Health in the Black Community” was discussed at a panel discussion at the premiere of the film on April 25.
As Westword reports, Olagbegi is impressed by the youth he profiled in the documentary and also called attention to the need to allow young people to tell their own stories about mental health. “It’s about time for us to stop muting them and thinking that they need to be in a child’s place,” Olagbegi said. “Filming this documentary, just hearing how important it was from the youth to really just have someone to talk to and not judge them, classify them, so on and so forth. And for an increase of 78 percent being the largest in our community for youth and suicide…I would hope it is an awakening and a trigger for something to get done.”
Jason Shankle, a therapist and CEO of Inner Self and Wisdom, as well as executive director of the Coalition for Black Health and Wellness, told the outlet that more Black Mental health experts would help address the stigma around mental healthcare, particularly for Black men. “We need more Black mental health professionals,” Shankle said. “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.”