HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — Michael Mathis says a family member suffered in silence with an issue of depression that he never sought to get treated.
“He was very prominent in his community, he had many kids and a family and just felt like he didn’t have any help and any outlet and so unfortunately his demise was suicide,” Mathis explained. Volunteers help make home improvements for veteran injured during service
Mathis believes that his family members’ death could have been prevented with outlets to care and resources.
“Even the friends that were aware of the situation that could get him the help that he needed,” said Mathis.
That family member is one of millions of men who feel that needing help for mental health concerns is stigmatized, and the problem is even more pronounced in men in the black community.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health by the year 2021, just 40% of men with a reported mental illness received mental health care services in the past year. Compared with 52% of women with a reported mental illness, even when men seek care, that care often falls short.
