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Description
This engaging training explores the intersection of culture, masculinity, faith, and mental health among African American men, with a specific focus on how the Black Church influences the understanding, expression, and management of depression. Participants will examine how cultural expectations surrounding masculinity, emotional expression, spirituality, stigma, and help-seeking can shape mental health experiences and decisions. Grounded in the Health, Illness, Men, and Masculinities (HIMM) framework and qualitative research with African American men, the training provides a culturally responsive perspective for understanding barriers to mental health care while recognizing the strengths and importance of faith-based support.
Participants will explore practical strategies for reducing stigma, building trust, improving culturally responsive communication, and strengthening collaboration between mental health professionals and faith communities. The training is designed to help social workers, mental health professionals, educators, clergy, and other helping professionals better recognize the cultural factors that influence mental health engagement among African American men and develop approaches that promote meaningful connection, appropriate referrals, and improved access to care.
About the Presenter:
Dr. Terry Edwards, PhD, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker and mental health therapist with nearly two decades of experience supporting individuals, families, and communities through life’s challenges. He earned his PhD in Clinical Social Work and Supervision from Walden University in 2026, his Master of Social Work in 2008 and his Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Psychology in 2004 from The Ohio State University. He also holds an Addictions Certification from the University of Michigan. Dr. Edwards believes quality mental health care should feel accessible, familiar, and safe. His approach is warm, honest, authentic, and culturally responsive, creating a space where clients can explore anxiety, depression, burnout, grief, relationship challenges, self-esteem, life direction, behavioral concerns, and generational or past trauma without judgment. He works collaboratively with individuals, professionals, and families to identify strengths, overcome barriers, and develop the confidence and tools needed to become the best representation of themselves. His philosophy is simple: healing begins when you feel safe enough to be seen, heard, and understood.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify at least three cultural and social factors that influence how African American men understand, express, and respond to depression and emotional distress.
- Describe at least three ways traditional masculinity, including expectations of strength, emotional control, and self-reliance, may influence mental health help-seeking among African American men.
- Develop one culturally responsive intervention or referral strategy that appropriately recognizes the role of faith, spirituality, community, and the Black Church while maintaining appropriate clinical boundaries.
Agenda:
| Time | Training Segment | Content / Activity |
|---|
| 0:00–0:10 | Welcome & Introduction | Introductions, training overview, learning objectives, participant expectations, and brief opening reflection: “What messages have we learned about how men should handle emotional distress?” |
| 0:10–0:35 | Understanding Depression Through a Cultural Lens | Presentation on depression, cultural interpretations of emotional distress, and the ways African American men may understand or describe depression. Guided Discussion: How might culture influence whether emotional distress is recognized as a mental health concern? |
| 0:35–1:00 | Masculinity, Emotional Endurance & Control | Explore expectations surrounding strength, independence, emotional control, and self-reliance. Interactive Activity: Participants identify common messages about masculinity and discuss how these messages can either support resilience or create barriers to seeking help. |
| 1:00–1:10 | Break | 10-minute break. |
| 1:10–1:35 | The Black Church & Mental Health | Examine the role of faith, spirituality, and the Black Church as sources of support, community, meaning, and coping. Discuss the distinction between spiritual support and clinical mental health treatment. Guided Discussion: How can helping professionals respectfully incorporate faith into culturally responsive care? |
| 1:35–2:00 | Stigma, Trust & Help-Seeking | Explore fear of judgment, confidentiality concerns, stigma, mistrust, emotional vulnerability, and other factors that may influence whether African American men seek professional support. Case Activity: Participants examine a brief clinical scenario and identify potential barriers to engagement and culturally responsive interventions. |
| 2:00–2:25 | Building Culturally Responsive Connections | Identify strategies for developing trust, communicating without judgment, recognizing strengths, and creating safer pathways to treatment. Discussion of collaboration and referral relationships between mental health professionals, community organizations, and faith leaders. |
| 2:25–2:45 | Application & Practice Activity | Small-Group Activity: Participants develop a culturally responsive engagement strategy for an African American male experiencing depression who is hesitant to seek professional help. Groups identify language, interventions, referral options, and potential cultural considerations. |
| 2:45–2:55 | Reflection & Key Takeaways | Individual reflection: “What is one assumption I may need to reconsider when working with African American men experiencing emotional distress?” Participants identify one practice change they can implement. |
| 2:55–3:00 | Evaluation & Closing | Questions, completion of post-training evaluation, review of key learning points, and closing remarks. |
Accreditation - This Webinar Offers 3 Live Interactive Continuing Education Credits
- CE You LLC, #1573, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 3/27/2024 - 3/27/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 3 continuing education credits.
- CE You! is an approved sponsor of the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners for continuing education credits for licensed social workers in Maryland.
CE You! maintains responsibility for this program. - CE You LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0437
- Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed creative arts therapists. #CAT-0122.
- Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0129.
- Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0325.
- Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0275.
This presentation is open to:
- Behavior Analysts
- Social Workers
- Professional Counselors
- Therapists
- Psychologists
- Licensed Mental Health Practitioners
- Medical Doctors and Other Health Professionals
- Other professionals interacting with populations engaged in mental health based services
This online class is offered at an intermediate level, and is beneficial for an intermediate level clinician:
- New practitioners who wish to gain enhanced insight surrounding the topic
- Experienced practitioners who seek to increase and expand fundamental knowledge surrounding the subject matter
- Advanced practitioners seeking to review concepts and reinforce practice skills and/or access additional consultation
- Managers seeking to broaden micro and/or macro perspectives
Additional information
- Refunds: Registrants who are unable to attend a CeYou! Plus! seminar or live webinars may ask for, and will receive, a credit or refund (your choice). Refund requests will be processed within 3 business days. When an attendee knows in advance that they are unable to attend we ask that they inform CeYou! Plus! ahead of time by emailing [email protected] or by calling or texting 607-249-4585 this allows us to free up the spot in the training in the event that a training is at or near capacity.
- Disability Access: If you require ADA accommodations, please contact our office 30 days or more before the event. We cannot ensure accommodations without adequate prior notification.
- Please Note: Licensing Boards change regulations often, and while we attempt to stay abreast of their most recent changes, if you have questions or concerns about this course meeting your specific board’s approval, we recommend you contact your board directly.
- The grievance policy for trainings provided by CeYou! Plus! is available here
- Satisfactory Completion: Certificates are available after satisfactory course completion in your account or by clicking here
- Participants will receive their certificate electronically upon completion of the webinar and course evaluation form.
- There is no conflict of interest or commercial support for this program.
- System Requirements: Any device (such as a computer, tablet, or phone), Dual-Core 2 GHz or higher processor, and at least 4 GB of RAM capable of running a Zoom session, along with a stable internet connection.
- Although early registration is recommended for this class in order to ensure the best experience, attendees may register and join until the start of the program