Unshackled Minds: Black Men, Mental Health & the Legacy of Trauma Artwork

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History has a way of repeating itself—especially when it comes to violence against women and marginalized communities. VIBE Check (Violence Intervention and Building Empowerment) unpacks the deep-rooted intersections of gender-based violence, racism, sexism, homophobia, and systemic oppression. This podcast is more than just a history lesson—it’s a call to action. By exposing the past, we empower the present and fight for a future where justice isn’t just an idea, but a reality. Tune in as we challenge the narratives, reclaim our stories, and build a world rooted in empowerment and intervention.

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Unshackled Minds: Black Men, Mental Health & the Legacy of Trauma

June 16, 2025 • LOVSOC • Season 1 • Episode 8

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This week on VIBE Check, we’re digging deep into the layered trauma Black men face in America. In honor of Juneteenth and PTSD awareness, and Men’s Mental Health Month, we’re asking: What does freedom really look like if your mind isn’t free?

We’ll explore: How the legacy of slavery, incarceration, and state violence contributes to PTSD in Black men. Why Black men are less likely to be diagnosed or treated for trauma—and how racism in healthcare plays a role. The unspoken rules of masculinity in BIPOC communities and how they harm queer, trans, and emotionally expressive men. The rise of healing spaces created by and for Black men—like barbershop therapy, mutual aid groups, and culturally competent providers.

Sources:

https://jedfoundation.org/what-juneteenth-can-teach-us-about-racial-trauma-and-the-resilience-of-the-black-community/

https://mhanational.org/resources/racial-trauma/

https://www.verywellmind.com/mental-health-resources-for-the-black-community-5181656

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post_Traumatic_Slave_Syndrome

https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/apa-blogs/observing-juneteenth-and-supporting-mental-health

https://www.psychiatrist.com/news/beyond-juneteenth-the-mental-health-crises-facing-black-youth/

https://www.avancecare.com/recognizing-juneteenth-and-its-effects-on-mental-health/

https://www.claritychi.com/blog/celebrating-and-supporting-black-mental-health-on-juneteenth

https://www.sondermind.com/resources/articles-and-content/racism-and-racial-trauma-how-your-therapist-can-help-you-heal/

https://www.health.com/condition/ptsd/generational-trauma

https://theconversation.com/the-legacy-of-anti-black-racism-the-public-health-crisis-of-racial-trauma-246104