Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute (MPSI) Research Colloquium Series

The Promise and Potential of Mental Health, Manhood Redefined, and Social Support through the YBMen Project

Location: Virtual Only, RSVP to receive Zoom link

Presenter: Daphne C. Watkins, PhD, University Diversity and Social Transformation Professor and Professor of Social Work, School of Social Work, University of Michigan

This presentation will describe the origin, research, and impact of the Young Black Men, Masculinities, and Mental Health (YBMen) Project. Developed by Professor Daphne C. Watkins, the YBMen Project has provided a platform for young Black men to find guidance, develop crucial life skills, access mental health education, and build resilient support networks for nearly a decade. By addressing issues of mental health, societal stereotypes, and systemic barriers, the YBMen Project has actively contributed to reshaping the narrative around young Black men. Its impact resonates through the success stories of the men positively influenced by the program, breaking barriers and achieving personal and professional milestones they might not have thought possible before engaging with the program.