Honoring Men’s Health, Social Wellness, and Minority Mental Health Beyond the Calendar
- Brainz Magazine
- Jul 11
- 5 min read
Written by Natasha Mosby, Clinical Program Director
Natasha Mosby is a recognized expert in mental health and integrated healthcare. With over 20 years of experience specializing in mood, anxiety, stress-related, and trauma disorders, she has developed and implemented programs that promote mental health and wellness.
As June comes to an end, I still find myself immersed in the echoes of a sacred space, one we intentionally created as a free conference for men to breathe, reflect, and release in Las Vegas, Nevada. Our 4th Annual Men’s Health & Wellness Conference wasn’t just an event; it was a gathering across generations, a space built on truth-telling, rooted in culture, and sustained by community. This year’s theme: “Generational Health: Know Your Roots, Plant Some Seeds.”
The two-day event focused on men’s overall health, encompassing their mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. From culturally centered workshops to on-site medical teams offering PSA screenings and preventive care, our planning team, speakers, and community providers created a space led by men, for men, where vulnerability wasn’t just accepted; it was welcomed. For many, it was the first time they were asked, “How are you today?” instead of the more traditional question, “What do you do for a living?”
Now that June has ended–whether you hosted a workshop, attended a conference, or joined in raising awareness during Men’s Health Month–the real question is:
What do we do with everything that was discovered?
From June to July: The work continues
The timing of Men’s Health Month is perfectly aligned with July, which also celebrates Social Wellness Month and Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. It's a great chance to keep the meaningful conversations from June going and growing.
While June emphasizes men’s physical and emotional health, July encourages us to explore deeper aspects: how connection, community, and culture impact overall well-being. For men, this involves understanding that emotional health is influenced by relationships, environment, and access to support.
These topics aren't isolated from each other. Men’s health, minority mental health, and social wellness are all part of the same caring fabric: interwoven, meaningful, and worth our ongoing focus.
The health impact of disconnection and disparity
Men are much less likely than women to seek mental health care, and these numbers are even lower for Black and Brown men. ₁
Social isolation increases the risk of heart disease by 29% and stroke by 32%. ₂
Communities of color often experience higher rates of misdiagnosis, undertreatment, and limited access to culturally responsive care.₃ This can lead to delayed treatment, more severe outcomes, and shorter life expectancy across a range of conditions, including depression, diabetes, hypertension, and substance use.
These statistics aren't meant to assign blame; they're intended to help us see the bigger picture. When we ignore cultural identity, personal experiences, and community influences, we're not just missing opportunities for positive change; we might even be risking lives. Mental health goes beyond just treating individual symptoms; it's about creating supportive systems and welcoming environments where everyone can find healing and hope.
What integration looks like
As a clinician, clinical consultant, and founder of the Men’s Health & Wellness Free Conference, I strongly believe in integrated care, both within healthcare systems and in how we live and interact with one another.
Integration is about caring for the whole person: mental, physical, and spiritual health. It’s about recognizing how our identity and lived experiences influence our well-being. In my professional and personal healing journey, I have come to realize that it isn’t a solo journey; it’s something we nurture together, step by step, with care, dedication, and a shared sense of purpose.
The transition from June to July offers an ideal opportunity to reaffirm a comprehensive, interconnected, and culturally inclusive approach to care.
Five ways to integrate men’s health, social wellness & minority mental health year-round
Here are five simple, powerful ways to keep the work going long after the awareness months are over.
1. Keep the circle going
There’s no need to wait for an awareness month; start now! You can begin with simple gestures, such as barbershop talks, brotherhood check-ins, or small healing circles. Remember, social wellness blossoms through those steady, everyday moments of genuine connection.
2. Bridge the systems that divide
If you're a healthcare provider, include culturally informed questions in your intake forms to better understand and respect the diverse identities of your clients. If you’re in a leadership role, make space for voices with lived experience in your policies and programming.
When systems reflect the communities they serve, trust is built, and care improves.
3. Prioritize cultural & spiritual connection
Honor the healing practices from your background–whether that’s prayer, music, storytelling, or gardening. These aren’t “extras.” They’re ancestral tools passed down through generations, and they’ve supported healing long before therapy offices and clinics existed.
This isn’t a matter of selecting either cultural traditions or modern healthcare. Instead, it’s about understanding that wellness is achieved through integration, respecting both scientific approaches and the timeless wisdom within our communities.
4. Center joy as a wellness practice
In marginalized communities, joy becomes a powerful source of healing, shining as both an act of resistance and a way to restore. Embrace moments of laughter, dance, and singing, and celebrate life. Feeling joy helps to rebalance the nervous system and reminds us that we are more than our wounds; we have the strength and resilience to heal and thrive.
Toi Derricotte:
“Joy is an act of resistance.”
5. Don’t just celebrate awareness – Fund access
Shift from symbolism to action. If you have resources or influence, support organizations and providers who are actively removing barriers to care. Share, volunteer, support, and invest in.
The healing continues
June reminded us that when we create spaces rooted in care, culture, and clarity, men don’t just show up; they are willing to do the work of healing.
July reminds us that healing doesn’t end with a campaign; it requires ongoing nourishment through connection, accountability, and love. Men’s health, social wellness, and minority mental health are not separate paths; they are parts of the same body, the same breath, the same hope.
Whether you’re a father, son, clinician, advocate, or community leader, I encourage you to continue tending the garden. Remember, healing isn't just a single event; it’s a continuous and connected journey. The seeds we plant today, when nurtured with love and purpose, can grow into something beautiful and lasting for generations to come.
Read more from Natasha Mosby
Natasha Mosby, Clinical Program Director
Natasha Mosby is a leader in mental health, specializing in integrating mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. She has developed programs that bridge mental and physical health to promote holistic wellness. As the founder of Health, Wellness & Integrated Care, she is dedicated to helping individuals achieve optimal health. Her mission: It’s all integrated—mind, body, and spirit.
References:
National Institute of Mental Health (2022). Men and Mental Health.
Holt-Lunstad, J. (2015). Loneliness and Social Isolation as Risk Factors for Mortality: A Meta-Analytic Review. Perspectives on Psychological Science.
American Psychiatric Association (2023). Mental Health Disparities: Diverse Populations.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Integrated Behavioral Health & Primary Care.
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