Pastor Rondal Leggett of First Missionary Baptist Church of Marin City offers a prayer at the dedication of Marin’s new multicultural center building in downtown San Rafael, Thursday, June 9, 2022. (Sherry Lovers/Marine Independent Journal)
A Marine City nonprofit hopes to address mental health issues among people of color through a day-long workshop.
The event, called “Thug Therapy,” focuses on helping men talk about mental health. The event is sponsored by the Marine City Fatherhood Program, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering at-risk youth.
The free session will be held Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Manzanita Recreation Center in Marine City. Other sponsors are Black Minds Matter 2, Marin Community Foundation, CalHOPE, and Marin City Health and Wellness.
The Rev. Rondell Leggett, pastor of First Missionary Baptist Church, where the fatherhood program is in place, said men of color face daily challenges that many others don’t, including racism. . Other stressors include financial, career, health, and family conflicts.
He said talking about what’s weighing on someone’s mind, even in a less clinical format, is a good first step to dealing with it.
“Black men don’t typically go to therapy. You know we don’t go to therapy,” Leggett said. “We really want to break that cycle and say it’s okay to break that cycle.”
These stressors are compounded by the feeling that many men may feel that if they express their emotions, they will be criticized or that they will be misunderstood, she said. Ta.
“We want to provide a safe space to talk about what you want to talk about, and you know we see you and hear you.” said Mr. Leggett. “I think a lot of men don’t feel seen, heard, or acknowledged. Instead, they don’t say anything and keep it to themselves.”
Leggett said “Thug” is an acronym that means teach, help, unite and lead. The term “thug therapy” and workshop was coined by Stanley Cox, a successful rapper from Oakland known as Mr. FAB. Cox started the program in the East Bay after speaking about his own struggle with anxiety.
“Unfortunately, especially as black and brown men, we didn’t have a safe space where we could cry in front of this stranger and be respected as men,” Cox said in a statement. “I’m vulnerable in these spaces. I’ll talk about what’s bothering me.”
Leggett said he wanted to bring the program to Marin City after hearing about Cox’s success in the East Bay. Cox and local community leaders will present at the workshop.
Leggett said the workshop aims to provide a safe space, build community and connect people with resources. Participants will be divided into subcommittees by age from 14 years old to over 45 years old.
Special presentations and group debriefings will be held, and breakfast and lunch will be provided. There will also be a breakout session for women and girls to learn how to support men with mental health issues.
Zion McKinley of Marine City, a mentee in the Becoming a Father program, may not have been able to graduate from high school without a senior community that gave him perspective on his struggles and guided him toward his goals. He said no. He said he has found a community that he considers family.
“It helped me get my head right,” McKinley said. “The elders in the community, the elders around me, and the people I met every day attended my father’s meetings, helped us with our goals, and asked us what we wanted to do in life. They asked serious questions that we needed to ask at the time, which was very helpful. I didn’t have any active father figures around me.”
McKinley said the leaders want him to be a mentor to the younger generation, and he plans to participate in Saturday’s workshop. He said addressing mental health would be particularly beneficial for young men.
“Kids who are having challenges do need support,” McKinley said. “You can’t go wrong with support. There’s nothing wrong with asking for help.”
While the program commemorates Black History Month, Leggett said he hopes to hold similar workshops in the future to help men build supportive communities to discuss their struggles. Stated.
“I will do everything I can to help them make a comeback from behind the mask, and when they do, to know that there is someone out there who will listen, show empathy, and help the situation.” “I’m trying to do that,” Leggett said.
