Description
Book SynopsisBlack men need hope to survive and, ultimately, flourish. As mental health is a critical but often neglected issue, especially among Black men, Care for the Mental and Spiritual Health of Black Men examines that sensitive topic in conjunction with reflections on race, gender, sexuality, and class to offer a hopeful and constructive framework for care and counseling, particularly for Black men. These are not separate from spiritual health and growth, as well, but both are integral to holistic, dynamic wellbeing. In this, the author provides a careful and critical analysis of spiritual hope and healing as ingredient to individual and communal flourishing. As such, this volume will be a vital resource for health practitioners, spiritual caregivers, and providers in community care who serve to bolster the mental wellbeing of Black men.
Trade ReviewA creative, compelling, and nuanced contribution to the flourishing of black men. Placing blackness at the center of mental health, Grier draws on the words and experiences of black men to demonstrate how care and counseling can promote lives unlimited—and unstrained—by racism, sexism, heteronormativity, homophobia, classism, and religious bigotry. -- Duane R. Bidwell, Claremont School of Theology
Nicholas Grier has written a critically important addition to the fields of spiritual care and pastoral theology concerning the care of Black men with his Hope to Keep Going framework. Grounded in current research, his thoroughgoing scholarly yet sensitive approach, using qualitative inquiry as his methodology, affords the practitioner or researcher a wealth of nuanced data from interviews with Black men regarding their lived experiences. This is a much-needed resource for those of us who care about Black men! -- Marsha Foster Boyd, president emerita of Ecumenical Theological Seminary and chief catalyst of Catalyst Connections Global LLC
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments
Introduction: A Prelude to Keep Going
Part I: Understanding Context
Chapter One: Chronically Dissed
Chapter Two: Breathing Racism’s, Sexism’s, and Classism’s Toxic Air
Chapter Three: The Urgency for Men to Embody Empathy and Support for Women
Chapter Four: Intertwined Worlds in the Mind
Part II: A Hope to Keep Going Framework for Care and Counseling
Chapter Five: Spiritual Hope
Chapter Six: A Hope to Keep Going Model Of Change: Activating Communal Agency to Care for Black Men
Chapter Seven: A Hope to Keep Going Model of Change: Activating Creative and Constructive Agency in Black Men
Conclusion
Appendix A: Vignettes
Appendix B: Individual Interview Questions
Appendix C: Research Participants
References
About the Author
