Navigating Wellness: Insights from Jeremy English on Black Men's Mental Health
In a riveting episode of the Dallas, Texas: What's Good podcast hosted by Brianna Jovahn, Jeremy English delves into topics surrounding wellness, mental health, and the unique challenges faced by Black men. As the podcast has entered its ninth season, it continues to be a beacon of enlightenment and help for individuals looking to improve their wellness and mental health.
Opening the Dialogue: The Importance of Seeking Help
Jeremy opens by emphasizing that seeking help and beginning a healing journey is far from unmanly. It is crucial for men, particularly Black men, to recognize the strength needed to vocalize problems and to pursue mental well-being. This episode provides a platform for this dialogue, inviting listeners to reconsider dated ideals about emotions and masculinity.
Getting to Know Jeremy English
Brianna takes the opportunity to catch up with Jeremy and explores his multifaceted career as a human resources professional, vocal artist, actor, director, and mental health advocate. Jeremy highlights the importance of mental health education in the corporate sector, demonstrating how the "Mental Health First Aid" course equips individuals with the necessary skills to recognize and address mental health crises in the workplace.
A Call to Action: Creating National Black Men's Mental Health Day
Jeremy's passion for mental health advocacy led him to establish National Black Men's Mental Health Day. Celebrated on July 18th, the holiday seeks to underscore the importance of mental health within the Black community, particularly among men who are often underserved in mental health conversations. This initiative is a testament to Jeremy's commitment to change culturally ingrained narratives about mental strength and emotional vulnerability.
The Role of HR in Mental Wellness
In his professional life, Jeremy challenges traditional expectations of human resources roles by advocating for mental health as a component of employee wellness. He provides actionable insights into how HR professionals can support struggling employees by connecting them with resources like the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and promoting a positive work environment.
Support Systems and Practical Resources
Jeremy stresses the potential in combining professional resources with personal community support. He highlights the importance of initiatives like Black Man, Your Mental Health Matters, an event designed to create safe spaces for open conversations about mental well-being. Whether through local city resources or digital platforms like Headway and the CALM app, Jeremy makes it clear that there are numerous avenues through which individuals can seek support.
Finding Strength in Faith and Community
Throughout the discussion, Jeremy reflects on the personal pivot points in his journey, attributing much of his success in navigating mental health challenges to his faith and community. Through stories shared within the episode, listeners are encouraged to rely on faith, community, and God for strength during personal valleys.
Conclusion: Unity in Wellness
The closing thoughts of the podcast emphasize unity in striving for wellness. Jeremy and Brianna stress the importance of community, encouraging everyone to reach out and support one another. In the journey from "I" to "We," wellness turns from an individual struggle to a shared triumph.
As the conversation wraps up, Brianna offers a motivational quote by Malcolm X: "When I is replaced with We, even illness becomes wellness," encapsulating the essence of the episode. Through Jeremy’s experiences and insights, listeners are left with a powerful message: regardless of personal challenges, no one is alone in their journey toward healing and growth.