NATIONAL MEN'S HEALTH MONTH BREAKING THE SILENCE: BLACK MEN, MENTAL HEALTH & THE WEIGHT OF NEGATIVE ENERGY BY JOSH PELTIER
Mental health has long been a neglected conversation for Black men. Generations of cultural expectations, systemic oppression, and survival-mode living have led many to suppress their emotions rather than express them. As a result, the pressure builds, and negative energy gets trapped—not just in the mind, but in the body and spirit. In many communities, Black men have been taught—directly or indirectly—to carry pain in silence. To “man up” To keep moving. To stay strong, no matter what. But at what cost?
The Hidden Weight of Negative Energy Unprocessed emotions—like anger, sadness, fear, and shame—don’t disappear. They stay. They settle. They shape how we move, think, and relate to the world. This is what we call trapped energy, and for many Black men, it shows up as: Chronic stress or burnout Emotional numbness Difficulty trusting or opening up Quick temper or emotional shutdowns Physical tension or fatigue without explanation These are not signs of weakness—they are signs of being human. Of being burdened for too long without a safe space to release.
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