First, let’s extend more thoughts and prayers to the late Stephen “tWitch” Boss, who lost his life by suicide earlier this week. We all knew what a delight he was and how he significantly touched everyone he came across. His genuine smile, warm spirit, and dancing ability were undeniable. His death has brought out many conversations surrounding mental health and or random allegations being thrown out into the media ever so carelessly. Unfortunately, this happens a lot when a Black person in the media commits suicide.
Of course, the announcement of this tragedy was plastered all over the blogs as soon as it happened. Almost immediately after, fans started to speculate what caused his death as though mental health could not have been a factor.
What makes this so ironic is that according to an article in (Forbes Magazine, 2022), The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities concluded that ‘African Americans are 20% more likely to experience serious psychological distress such as major depressive disorder than White Americans. However, Black Americans of all age groups are less likely to seek treatment than White Americans. A lot will agree that the reason for this is because of the scarcity of resources and mistrust which are barriers to sufficient care. Adding to these factors for Black men specifically are traditional masculinity roles and ideas across racial and ethnic backgrounds that have caused men to struggle with being vulnerable and sharing their emotions making them more reluctant to seek help.’ We can’t tell how someone is feeling just by looking at them.
Just because someone is smiling and laughing doesn’t mean that they’re not hurting inside. There’s nothing selfish and or cowardice about deciding for your life as your mental health sees fit. Instead of passing judgment when someone makes this decision, reevaluate yours. Check on your friends and family members. Open yourself to listen to how they’re doing and not just be comforted in knowing you asked. We won’t forget this tragedy as suicide isn’t easy to understand or accept. But we can continue to have those tough conversations that push those in need to speak up and seek help to get them through their dark times. Members of the music industry, sports, and entertainment have been creating safe spaces for dialogue and change.
According to Everdayhealth.com, Barbara Shabazz, PsyD, a psychologist in Virginia Beach, VA, suggest that Black men could consider these five helpful tips in seeking mental health care;
1. You have nothing to prove
2. Treatment in all its forms is entirely confidential
3. You can pick your mental health professional
4. There is no shame in seeking treatment
5. Counseling therapy and psychiatric treatment are not for “crazy” people
From what we saw “tWitch wore the biggest smile while dancing his heart out which was something that he loved doing since he was a young child. A devoted father of three, and a loving husband just celebrating his anniversary taking his own life shocked his fans all over the world. One would think that this situation would cause some to look deeper inside their issues and seek help if needed. But as we know the Internet is going to Internet, so instead of taking this situation for what it is, people would rather conjure up conspiracies. This will continue to harm the Black community because if mental health isn’t taken seriously, especially amongst our Black men, the healing won’t ever begin.
The world has become so desensitized, tragedies such as suicide aren’t taken as seriously as they should be. We always say what we could have should have and would have done, and still don’t do it with those among us. No matter who you are and where you come from it’s important to always stop and reflect to be sure that your mental health is indeed healthy. Now let’s not pass judgment on those who couldn’t find comfort in the help afforded to them.
R.I.P Stephen “tWitch’ Boss