The Spark Fund, a collaboration between the Global Fund for Children and The Imperative, launched a youth-led initiative to donate $200,000 in grants to support Atlanta-based organizations focusing on Black male mental health.
The initiative comprises a panel of Black men ages 18-30 who received educational tools to guide them through grant writing and equity training. The men then researched and selected five organizations to each receive a $40,000 grant.
The recipients: Black Male Initiative Georgia, Close Ties Leadership Program, Silence the Shame, and The Counseling Brothers of Atlanta.
“As a 21-year-old Black man, I feel it is important to support the mental health of young Black men and boys because they face unique challenges related to systemic racism and societal expectations,” said Kenneth Jones, a Spark Fund participant. “By supporting mental health, we can help break the stigma around seeking help and promote emotional well-being within our community.”
Dr. Avery Rosser, president and CEO of The Counseling Brothers of Atlanta, expressed gratitude for receiving the grant.
“These funds will allow us to provide reduced and free counseling services
to Black boys and men in Atlanta, ensuring they have access to the support they deserve,” Rosser said in a press release. “Additionally, we will be able to offer specialized training for mental health professionals, helping them to better understand and address the unique experiences of Black men in counseling.”According to a study conducted by Forbes, Georgia ranks 49 out of 50 when it comes to access to care. Other barriers to mental health care for Black men include inadequate insurance and a lack of mental health care providers. According to a study conducted by the American Psychiatric Association, Black men represent only 4 percent of mental health professionals, which may contribute to a lack of culturally competent mental health professionals for Black men.
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