The third annual Black and Latino Male Achievement (BLMA) Mental Health Awareness Symposium, hosted by Marquette University and Milwaukee Public Schools on April 22, brought together approximately 150 Black and Latino high school boys from 13 Milwaukee public schools. The keynote speaker, Harry Evans, emphasized the importance of feeling comfortable enough to admit when help is needed and reminded that asking for help does not make someone less of a man.
The symposium aimed to provide a safe space for young men of color to discuss mental health, seek support, and learn coping strategies. Roshaun Price and Rudolph Baker, students at Washington High School and ambassadors for MPS’ Department of BLMA, shared their personal experiences with learning to be more in-tune with themselves as they grow older. They discussed the challenges of navigating mental health issues in a society that often encourages men to suppress their emotions.
Gabriel Velez, the faculty director of the Black and Latino Male Transition & Dual Enrollment hub at Marquette University, stressed the importance of teaching youth that they are not alone in their struggles with mental health. He highlighted the unique challenges faced by communities in Milwaukee, including trauma from the COVID-19 pandemic, community violence, and interpersonal issues within families. Baker reflected on the importance of thinking about the future and making choices that will lead to personal growth and success.
A recent CDC report revealed that men are significantly less likely than women to seek mental health treatment
