This is Mike Viny, and he struggles with mental illness. I really want to share his story, not only because he is a man managing his mental health, but he’s an African American man going through depression. Mental illness is a topic that is not brought into light, but within minority community (especial African Americans), the subject is extremely taboo.

Adult African Americans are 20 percent more likely to report serious psychological distress than adult whites are. Young African Americans are much less likely than white youth to have used a mental health service in the year during which they seriously thought about or attempted suicide. African-American teenagers are more likely to attempt suicide than white teenagers. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for African-American males ages 15 to 24. African-American men ages 20 to 24 have the highest suicide rate among African Americans of all ages, male and female. Among men aged 18-44 who had daily feelings of anxiety or depression, non-Hispanic black and Hispanic men (26.4 percent) were less likely than non-Hispanic white men (45.4 percent) to have used mental health treatments.

With all these studies and research done within the African American community; more specifically African American men, you can see why I am very keen on Mike’s story. Please watch his video.