Party: Black Masculinity: Shape up, Man Up!
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Upcoming: 97
Date: 24.10.2017 18:00
Address: University Square, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom | show on the map »
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Join us as we discuss the notion of the ‘strong, black man’.
Discouraged from opening up, black men are overrepresented in the diagnosis of serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, resulting in labelling, reinforcing mistrust and suspicion of mental health professionals.
The discussion panel will consist of several intercultural psychotherapists who argue that course, recovery and outcome are shaped by cultural and social context. We will also consider how the role of the barber and the experience of a barbershop could be key to tackling mental health issues for young black men.
We will be joined by Malcolm Phillips, manager of the Oremi Centre, an African Caribbean Mental Health Resource Centre in West London. His centre offers a wide range of facilities providing a space for the personal achievement and mental well-being of African and Caribbean people: Day centre, advice and information, outreach visits, community programmes, health promotion, community carer support. On setting up his centre, liasing with local Afro-Caribbean barbers was an important early engagement strategy of the Oremi Centre in the 90’s when we set up.
Partick Vernon is the Director of Black Thrive, a programme for tackling mental health inequalities and improving the wellbeing of the African and Caribbean community in the London Borough of Lambeth. Vernon was the first to call for the national celebration of "Windrush Day" on 22 June, marking the day in 1948 when the Empire Windrush docked at Tilbury, bringing the first big group of post-war migrants from the West Indies to Britain. Mr Vernon's hard work and commitment resulted in being awarded an OBE in 2012 for his work nationally in tackling health inequalities and supporting BAME communities.
Tamika Roper our third panellist, conducted a study on the experience of barbershops in a paper entitled, ‘Is having a haircut good for your mental health?’ This paper gives an insight into tackling male suicide. The study demonstrated that there is a defined cultural experience when going into the barbershop and many black males go for more than just a haircut.
Selected attendees will be offered free trims in our pop up barber shop where they are willing to listen to any worries.
The Shape Up Barber Shop will be opposite Salad Box.
