Mental health support group launched for black men in Gloucester

Psychotherapist Audrey James, one of the councillors for the group, said stigma around mental health ran deep among the black community.

“As a community, we were raised not to talk about our business and not to make ourselves vulnerable,” she explained.

“I call it an epidemic with black mental health. We’re very slow to think about our mental health, to make it a priority.”

Project facilitator Ronnie McGrath echoed this viewpoint.

“We’re often brought up in a situation where ‘silence is our strength’ and any sign that we are not coping with our environment – that’s a sign of weakness,” he said.

“That kind of imprisons us and we adhere to that subconsciously.”