NASW CEO Anthony Estreet, PhD, MBA, LCSW-C, was part of a special Father’s Day segment hosted by WVON-AM radio in Chicago that focused on Black fatherhood.
Studies indicate Black fathers, even when absent from the home, tend to be more engaged with their children than fathers of other groups. However, Estreet said Black fathers can experience mental health stressors that other groups do not and it is important they seek out therapy, including from clinical social workers.
“Black men are facing higher challenges, you know, when compared to other groups, such as economics, health care, educational disparities, systematic racism, social injustice,” Estreet said. “You know we are one of the only groups of people who can literally be watching the news and see somebody that looks like us and from communities like us be shot down and killed on live TV.”
“I would really say that therapy works, right,” Estreet said later. “You know, find yourself a therapist, preferably a social worker. I am a little biased.”
Take time to listen to Estreet’s interview below:
Social workers help people overcome mental illness so they can live more fulfilled lives. Learn more at NASW’s HelpStartsHere.org.