Psychology junior Chiara Bogan realized that while OU had Getting to the Root, a student organization that supported Black women’s mental health, there wasn’t an organization that was dedicated to their counterpart. To bridge the gap, Chiara and her fellow classmates came together to create a space where Black men could be vulnerable, supported, and empowered.
Through their ongoing efforts of hosting events and outreach, BMMHC hopes to contribute to breaking the stigma of Black men keeping their emotions to themselves. Every BMMHC event is held in hopes of empowering students to authentically express themselves, whether that means speaking on their home life, personal struggles, or the stress they experience as college students.
A challenge BMMHC faces is the number of attendees. Student ambassador Nicholas Jones believes that despite the numbers, their impact can be felt across campus. He calls it the ripple effect—where even if only five people attend an event, BMMHC has an opportunity to make a lasting impact on not only the lives of the attendees, but the lives of people they meet as they will pass down to others what they learned or discussed.
BMMHC has impacted the lives of its members through teaching them how to communicate effectively and giving them a space to express themselves. Club events specifically focus on subjects like the impacts of stress and how to reduce it, the importance of patience, and communication. Those in attendance not only have a safe space, but also take home what they learn.
BMMHC recommends several resources and strategies, one being to reach out to a mental health professional. OU students have access to counseling through Goddard’s University Counseling Center (UCC). UCC is staffed by professional psychologists, counselors, and supervised graduate students. If seeking out therapy is not an option, BMMHC also recommends every student finds someone you can confide in as a first step in your mental health journey.
While Black Men’s Mental Health Club encourages Black men to join, the organization is open to students of all backgrounds and genders.
