Brother to Brother: Panel Discussion

Brother to Brother was developed in collaboration with Black Mental Wellness trainees to amplify the voices of Black men. This initiative highlights the personal stories of Black men who have experienced mental health concerns and/or life stressors, and how they found a pathway to healing and triumph.
Throughout the month of June we will share the vulnerable stories of Black men on our Black Mental Wellness platforms (Website, social media, UA-cam). Our hope is that these vulnerable conversations will help to reduce the mental health stigma, and empower Black men to seek the help and resources they need to heal.
Moderator:
Joyson Balisamore (Joy-sun Buh-leesuh-more) is a proud native of Baltimore, social entrepreneur, and holistic health advocate. Like many African American males, Joyson experienced a number adverse childhood experiences, most notably the death of his mother. After spending many years suffering in silence to untreated depression and addiction, Joyson found freedom when he gained the courage to share his experiences and express his emotions with a trusted counselor
Panelists:
Brennan Allan Steele is a best-selling author, speaker, former educator, and therapist-in-training. He spent five years teaching math and leading the social-emotional learning curriculum at local schools in Memphis. Through this experience and his personal journey, he became really interested in mental health and published "breathe: a guided mental health journal for Black men" that has now sold over 25,000 copies across the world. Recently, he released his second journal, "transform: a guided journal for new Black fathers," which aims to support Black men as the adjust their role as a father.
Kyle Toon is a husband, father, MSW graduate student, and author of his first poetry book “The Depths Below.” Born and raised in Southern Maryland by a single parent - Kyle enlisted in the US Army on Jan 2010. He spent 13 years in the US Army military intelligence corps, attaining the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 2, and on 1 March 2023, securing an honorable discharge through the US Army Conscientious Review Board. He is the founder of Mental & Creative Liberation LLC - an intellectual and creative vehicle that promotes emotional emancipation, mental liberation, and creative freeness through thought, exploration, and writing.
Mark Tuggle is a NYC author, educator, mentor and talk radio host. His book on Black men and mental health inspired guest appearances on podcasts in Atlanta, Boston, Los Angeles, New York City, Washington DC, Canada, South Africa and the UK. His passion for serving humanity attracts people from diverse backgrounds. "Cultural Silence and Wounded Souls - Black Men Speak about Mental Health"
Resources
Organizations
• Black Mental Wellness, Corp.: www.Blackmentalwellness.com
• OURSELVES BLACK: Home - OURSELVES BLACK
• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness: Homepage | NAMI
• Black Men Heal
• Black Boys Om, Inc.: www.Blackboysom.org
Directories
• Black Mental Health Alliance |
• www.Therapyforblackmen.org
• www.Therapyforblackgirls.org
• www.therapyforblackkids.org/
• www.Therapyforpoc.com
• www.Cliniciansofcolor.org
• www.Lovelandfoundation.org
• www.melaninandmentalhealth.com
• www.Inclusivetherapists.com
• www.Blacktherapistsnetwork.com
• www.Blackmentalhealthprofessionals.com
• www.Cliniciansofcolor.org
• BetterHelp | Professional Therapy With A Licensed Therapist
• Therapist Directory - Find Therapists - Therapy In Color
Apps
• MindDoc: Mental Health Support
• Voice-Mental Health Guide
• BetterHelp-Therapy
• Talkspace Therapy and Support
• BetterMe: Mental Health
• MENtal Matters Podcast
• The Black Boys & Men: Changing the Narrative Podcast
Books
• Black MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS by Aaren Snyder, LMFT
• breathe. a guided healing journal FOR BLACK MEN by Brennan Allan Steele
• "Cultural Silence and Wounded Souls - Black Men Speak about Mental Health" by Mark Tuggle.
• Dear Black Man by Jewel Guy
• Healing Racial Stress Workbook for Black Teens: Skills to Help You Manage Emotions, Resist Racism, and Feel Empowered (The Instant Help Social Justice Series) by Jessica S. Henry PhD, Farzana T. Saleem PhD, Dana L. Cunningham PhD, Nicole L. Cammack PhD, Danielle R. Busby PhD, and Howard C. Stevenson PhD (Foreword)
• The Color of Hope: People of Color Mental Health Narratives by Iresha Picot
• The Stress Management Workbook: De-Stress in 10 Minutes or Less by Dr. Ruth C. White PhD, MPH, MSW
• The Unapologetic Guide To Black Mental Health by Rheeda Walker, PHD
• transform: a guided journal for new Black fathers by Brennan Allan Steele
Videos
• Fellas, Are We Okay?
• The Time is Now! Real Talk about Men's Health and Wellness
Phone/Mobile Resources
• 988

[@gracefullyimperfect5627]

What an extraordinary platform to have a much-needed dialogue with an exemplary group of Black men dedicated to vulnerability and honesty. I extend my gratitude to the event coordinators, the Black Mental Wellness staff, and three remarkable Brothers - Joyson, Brennan, & Mark. Peace. Prosperity. & Love.

[@blackmentalwellness]

Thank you so much for the support.

[@marktuggle6725]

Thank you to Black Mental Wellness Corp for hosting this important cultural gathering of dynamic Black men. Also, it was an honor for me to dialogue with Brennan, Joyson and Kyle.

[@blackmentalwellness]

We are so appreciative to you and all of the panelists for sharing your truths. It was such a powerful discussion.