Conversation in the men’s locker room is Black mental health

A man diagnosed with a mental health disorder said it’s his mission to spread awareness -- especially to the minority community.

Rwenshaun Miller is a licensed clinical counselor and author.

Each week, Miller is the host of a national call-in program, Men’s Locker Room Talk, which is one of the many programming elements of Miller’s nonprofit, Eustress Inc.

“Eustress Inc. was born out of the desire to bring awareness to the importance of acknowledging, improving and preserving mental health, a topic often marked by stigma and denial, particularly in the Black community,” Miller said.

The weekly call focuses on different issues for Black men.

“We talk about different issues that affect our mental health whether it be relationships, politics, jobs, family. Anything is on the table to discuss,” he said.

Miller said that, in these conversations, people have the opportunity to acknowledge negative stressors they may face and the impact it has on their mental health.

Over 42 million people in the United States have some form of mental illness, and approximately 1 in 25 adults in the U.S. will experience a serious mental illness each year that substantially interferes with their life activities.

“Finding a safe place where Black men have a comfortable environment is key for effective mental wellness,” he said.

His goal is to provide compassionate and nonjudgmental support in a safe and nurturing environment.

“With the right mental, emotional, physical and spiritual skill set, you can go from living to thriving, experiencing life in a much healthier way,” Miller said.