Sidney Hankerson, MD, MBA, was the keynote speaker, and led the discussion.
The Growth in Operations, Administration, and Leadership Society (GOALS) Employee Resource Group (ERG) hosted its quarterly outing at Mount Sinai’s Corporate Services Center in June to recognize National Mental Health Awareness Month.
This event, coordinated by Shawn Lee, Associate Director of Operations for the Central Billing Office at the Mount Sinai Health System, brought together about 20 Black men from across the Mount Sinai community to have a candid conversation about the importance of mental health and surmounting the stigmas on mental health care.
The event’s keynote speaker was Sidney Hankerson, MD, MBA, Vice Chair of Community Engagement and Associate Professor of Psychiatry, and Population Health Science and Policy at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Dr. Hankerson, who is a nationally recognized expert at engaging faith- and community-based organizations to increase access to culturally relevant mental health care, facilitated the conversation and provided information on how to manage the challenges that Black men may encounter not only in health care but in their personal lives, as well.
Men, regardless of their race or ethnicity, have lower rates of seeking mental health services compared with women, Dr. Hankerson said. But Black men also face a complex array of socio-cultural factors, including racism and discrimination, misdiagnosis and clinician bias, and the common misconception that seeking help is a sign of weakness.
Among the tools available to support Black men’s mental health include culturally competent care, connections to religious communities that support mental health, exercise and behavioral activation, and social support. “I was pleased to see so many of our Mount Sinai brothers come together to create a sense of community for Black men,” said Reginald Miller, DVM, DACLAM, Dean for Research Operations and Infrastructure and Professor of Comparative Medicine and Surgery, and Environmental Health and Public Health at Icahn Mount Sinai. “Building a supportive network of Black males has been a main focus for GOALS.”
“We wanted to create a safe space where Black men can feel heard while also being able to connect with like-minded individuals, with whom they probably would have never met without a forum like this,” said Mr. Lee. “We look forward to expanding our GOALS network, collaborating with other groups, and aligning with system initiatives to foster equitable pathways for our members.”
To learn more about the GOALS ERG, email GOALS@mssm.edu or visit the website GOALS (Growth in Operations, Administrations and Leadership Society).
