November is a month when there is heightened focus on men’s health. (1) This is an issue that is particularly acute in the Afrikan community and arguably most severely in the area of mental health. (2) Afrikan people in the UK are nearly five times more likely to be sectioned under the Mental Health Act. (3) In the case of depression for example, talking therapies can be more effective than medication. (4) Unfortunately, even when they can be accessed (and this is a challenge), there are stark disparities in completion rates among different groups – just 3.8% for Afrikans, compared to a staggering 79.8% for white groups. This not only raises concerns about the suitability of these services for Afrikan people also about whether these needs are being met elsewhere. (5)

The evidence that “young black men more at risk when compared to their white counterparts” but also more at risk than Black women, indicates that they are not being met. (6)

Yet help could be closer to home than we realise, within our very homes. A range of studies indicate that marriage can boost health, particularly men, who even live longer lives because of it. (7) As it stands just under a third of Afrikans are “married/cohabiting” (24.3%/6.8%), compared to 43% for whites and over 50% for Asians. (8)

So while we grapple with accessing services that may not even work for us a major part of the solution is ostensibly the (re) embrace of cultural imperatives, in this case marriage. As Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka asserts:

“Cultural Imperatives are compelling events in the Alkebu-Lan (Afrikan) life cycle, which are determined by cultural traditions. Thus, cultural imperatives are statements of cultural reaffirmation, reinforcing collective self-pride, self-empowerment and self-determination. Cultural Imperatives are designed to compliment celebrate and enhance the ‘Natural Imperatives’ of Alkebu-Lan life cycle.” (9)

Or in other words, ‘return to the way.’

However, there are factors that impede the journey back to the way such as the ‘Black manopsphere,’ online personalities that have conversations about, for and to Afrikan men. The most popular of these have viral videos across social media and frequently identify Afrikan work as a target for their ire. (10)

So activists are calling for the creation of forums and spaces where these issues can be addressed. One such event is Black Men United “an inspiring celebration of Black manhood, fatherhood, and our Black football and sporting heroes” taking place on from 1pm and 7pm on 24th November at The Wise Centre, Alric Avenue, London NW10 8RA. The event hosted by DJ Blaze and Bro. Omowale will feature Black health professionals and advocates with guidance about optimum health as well as information about Black men’s groups, football, and sports clubs, all in a “relaxed, family-friendly environment perfect for sharing and connecting.” (https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/black-men-united-football-fatherhood-and-health-tickets-1054285519369?aff=ebdssbdestsearch)

(1) Kit Taylor (17/11/24) Moustache dash to benefit men’s health charity. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9vn1v3rx0vo

(2) Enitan Kane (27/10/21) A good later life for Black men over 50. https://ageing-better.org.uk/blogs/a-good-later-life-for-black-men-over-50; National Health Executive (26/09/24) Black Community Facing Stark Disparities in Healthcare. https://www.nationalhealthexecutive.com/articles/black-community-facing-stark-disparities-healthcare

(3) Sinai Fleary (16/02/23) ‘We need urgent action on Black mental health’. https://www.voice-online.co.uk/news/2023/02/16/we-need-urgent-action-on-black-mental-health/

(4) Stephanie Merritt

(5) Chris Frederick (11/09/24) Illuminating the invisible: Bringing Black mental health and suicidality out of the shadows. https://www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/illuminating-the-invisible-bringing-black-mental-health-and-suicidality-out-of-the-shadows/

(6) Claudia Cole (22/03/23) Black Communities and Suicide – Is it On the Rise? https://www.harleytherapy.co.uk/counselling/black-communities.htm; Esther Poyer (15/02/21) The Truth Behind Young Black Men and Suicide in the UK. https://www.chatworkshackney.co.uk/the-truth-behind-young-black-men-and-suicide-in-the-uk/; Maia Niguel Hoskin, PhD (17/05/22) 5 Reasons Suicide Is on the Rise in the Black Community, According to a Psychiatrist. https://www.everydayhealth.com/emotional-health/reasons-suicide-is-on-the-rise-in-the-black-community-according-to-a-psychiatrist/

(7) Jane Kirby (06/02/23) Being married ‘may help prevent type 2 diabetes’. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/people-canada-diabetes-uk-b2277010.html; Eleanor Noyce (24/02/23) Marriage makes men live longer, new study finds. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/marriage-live-longer-bachelors-heart-study-b2288786.html

(8) Office for National Statistics (03/04/19) Families and households. https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/uk-population-by-ethnicity/demographics/families-and-households/latest/#ethnic-groups-by-household-type

(9) Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka (30/11/16) Ngoma Danane Mitinhimira Tenderere Upenyu

(Drum Call and The Rhythmic Cycle of Life). Inpublished paper

(10) Steven Dashiell (15/05/24) How the manosphere found its way into the Black community. https://theconversation.com/how-the-manosphere-found-its-way-into-the-black-community-226710; Susan Akyeampong (18/09/24) The ShxtsNGigs Podcast Let Black Women Down. But Are We Surprised? https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2024/09/11782999/shxtsngigs-podcast-black-girlfriend-effect-controversy

So tonight we ask the question:

Is Black men’s health a “silent catastrophe”?

1) Why are there such low completion rates of talking theories among Afrikan people?

2) Is marriage really a health benefit for Afrikan men? Does it need to institutionalised?

3) Does the “Black Manosphere” have an impact on relationships?

4) What strategies do we need to put in place to address it?

Our Special Guest:

Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka: Resident guest who is Spiritual Leader of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement and an Afrikan-Centred Education Consultant. Bro. Ldr is a veteran activist of over 40 years standing. He is the visionary that brought forth the Mosiah Season in 1998 and prime mover behind what bacame the interim National Afrikans People’s Parliamnent. Bro. Ldr. is the author of Mosiah Daily Affirmations and Education: An Afrikan-Centred Approach To Excellence.

Sis. Patricia “Blaze” Wharton: is an organiser and activist that has spent over 30 years of her professional career supporting children and families including with issues like Social and school Exclusions, self-harming, depression and other challenges. She is also a freelance Parenting Practitioner offering Parenting Seminars workshops and courses, including running programmes in prison. Sis. Patricia organises community events and initiatiatives on a range of issues including, arts, culture and health and is the presenter for ‘The Let’s Talk Show’ on Chalkhill Community Radio Station.

Bro. Omowale Quow: is a distinguished Pan Afrikan community activist with over 37 years dedicated service and a member of the leadership of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement. He promotes Afrikan spirituality and culture, inspired by the Rt Hon. Marcus Garvey and Malcolm X. He founded Jegna Family Support Services, a grassroots organisation supporting neurodivergent children, ex-offenders, and school refusers. His experience includes pupil referral units, street mentoring, family mediation, and math tutoring. As a Community Research Champion, he addresses health inequalities in the Afrikan heritage community and organises events on Afrikan men’s health.

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