Andrew Gillum has checked himself into rehab.
The former candidate for Florida Governor found himself involved in a sticky situation this past weekend when Miami Beach Fire Rescue workers received a call about a possible overdose at a local hotel. Gillum, along with two other men, Aldo Mejias and Travis Dyson were said to be in the same room at the time of the incident and remnants of crystal meth were found with Dyson being the person suspected of overdosing.
While details are still surfacing around what really happened, Gillum has issued a statement admitting that “Since my race for governor ended, I fell into a depression that has led to alcohol abuse,” promising to, “heal fully and show up in the world as a more complete person.”
Gillum has also since stepped down from all public-facing roles as he plans to move forward with his journey, working on himself.
This brings up the stigma surrounding Black men and mental health.
Here are a few ways we can address this very serious issue facing our community:
- It’s okay to talk about your feelings. Often times Black men are groomed to believe they should hold things in, which is not healthy. Encourage men, both old and young, to talk it out.
- Although resources can seem slim, there are options. Different websites like Talk Space and Calm offer alternative ways to cope with anxiety/stress.
- Therapy isn’t just for white people. A lot of times this is the response when seeing a therapist is suggested and we have to change how we view seeking help.
