Spark Fund donates $200,000 to support Black men’s mental health

The Spark Fund, the results of the collaboration Global Children’s Fund AND Imperativelaunched a youth-led initiative to provide $200,000 in grants to support Atlanta-based organizations focused on Black men’s mental health.

The initiative consists of a panel of black men aged 18-30 who were supplied with educational tools to assist them with the grantmaking process and equal opportunity training. The men then researched and chosen five organizations, each of which received a $40,000 grant.

Recipients: Black Male Initiative Georgia, Close Ties Leadership Program, Silence the Shame and The Counseling Brothers of Atlanta.

“As a 21-year-old Black man, I believe it is important to support the mental health of young Black men and boys because they face unique challenges related to systemic racism and societal expectations.” he said Kenneth Jones, Spark fund participant. “By supporting mental health, we can help break the stigma around seeking help and promote emotional well-being in our community.”

Dr. Avery Rosser, president and CEO of The Counseling Brothers of Atlanta, expressed gratitude for receiving the scholarship.

“These funds will allow us to provide free and limited counseling services to Black boys and men in Atlanta, ensuring they have access to the support they deserve,” Rosser said in a news release. “Additionally, we will be able to offer specialized training for mental health professionals, helping them better understand and address the unique experiences of Black men in counseling.”

A study conducted by Forbes shows that Georgia within the rating 49/50 when it comes to access to care. Other barriers to mental health take care of black men include inadequate insurance and a scarcity of mental health care facilities. According to research conducted by the American Psychiatric Association Black men represent just 4 percent of mental health professionals, which can contribute to the shortage of culturally competent mental health professionals amongst black men.