Black Men Heal

What It Is

Black Men Heal is a nonprofit organization founded in 2018 that provides free mental health treatment, education, and community resources to men of color, with a specific focus on Black men. The organization was created to address three barriers that keep Black men from seeking mental health care: affordability and cost, lack of cultural competency in treatment provider selection, and stigma around men seeking mental health support. The founder and CEO, Tasnim Sulaiman, is a licensed psychotherapist (LPC) who also maintains a private practice in Philadelphia. The co-founder and Chief Operating Officer, Zakia Williams, has a background in human development, social work, and case management, with 17 years of experience in the mental health field.

Black Men Heal is a 501c3 nonprofit organization, and all mental health services are provided free to clients. The organization emphasizes that it was created as a solution to a broken and inequitable mental health care system that does not center the needs of marginalized Black and brown communities.

The Programs

Black Men Heal operates four main mental health programs. Kings Corner is a weekly virtual safe space open to men 18 and older from across the United States. Each week features a different mental wellness topic applicable to men's mental health issues and is led by collaborative hosts who specialize in that topic. The groups are open and psychoeducational, meaning they offer skills and tools to enhance men's health, wellness, relationships, and quality of life. Black Men Heal reports that over 1200 men across the country have signed up for weekly Kings Corner sessions.

Heal With Him is a series of virtual meetings for men. The organization does not provide detailed descriptions of this program on its public pages, but it is listed as one of the core offerings.

The Individual Therapy Program (ITP) matches men with culturally competent therapists of color and provides 8 free individual therapy sessions. Each man is paired with a therapist and given access to treatment at no cost. According to the organization, 97 percent of clients and providers are happy with their pair-ups. After the 8 free sessions end, 75 percent of the men continue with their therapists, suggesting strong therapeutic relationships. The organization has provided over 1100 free therapy sessions to 166 men through this program. As of the date on the organization's site, the individual therapy program is available to men who reside in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, New York City, Maryland, Washington D.C., Virginia, and Georgia. The organization states it has expanded its services into a total of 8 states and is hoping to add 3 more.

Gun Violence Group Therapy (GVGT) is a program focused on trauma from gun violence. It is a group therapy program that provides emotional support and coping skills training to individuals who have been impacted by gun violence. This program is based in the Philadelphia area and targets middle and high school-aged youth and school and youth-focused organizations. It uses a trauma-informed approach with intergenerational conversations, workshops, and group counseling sessions led by skilled and trauma-informed facilitators.

How It Works for Clients

Men who want 8 free individual therapy sessions apply to the program. Black Men Heal prequalifies applicants to ensure the correct match between client and therapist. The organization states there is no guarantee of selection and that a waiting period occurs. The application process is described as quick and easy, and men can apply through the organization's website.

Once matched, each man receives 8 sessions with a therapist of color who has expertise in culturally specific stressors like racism, prejudice, and economic disparities. The site emphasizes that men of color often feel apprehension about therapy because they want a therapist who can actually identify with their unique cultural stressors and lived experiences. The therapy is delivered virtually, so sessions are conducted online.

The Kings Corner weekly group is open to anyone to join. Men aged 18 and older can attend any session that addresses a topic relevant to their struggles.

How It Works for Therapist Providers

Black Men Heal recruits both licensed and pre-licensed therapists to provide services. Benefits for therapists include compensation (the organization pays providers), telehealth-only work from home, the ability to set their own schedule and caseload preferences, free clinical supervision offered weekly, free clinical trainings, peer networking and cross-referrals, opportunities to become featured in the Black Men Heal provider directory, and additional paid opportunities such as speaking engagements, workshop trainings, and events. The organization has recruited 50 therapists of color so far.

The organization also notes that 75 percent of the men who complete the 8 Black Men Heal sessions continue with their therapist afterwards, which suggests providers find sustainable work through the program.

What the Organization Does Not Offer

Black Men Heal is not an emergency mental health service. The site explicitly states this and directs people in need of immediate or emergency mental health care to call 911 or to search for local mental health crisis resources. The organization has limited and selective free mental health service opportunities, meaning not everyone who applies will be accepted into the program. There is no guarantee of selection and typically a waiting period before services begin.

The programs are for men only. While some of the organization's resources and educational content may be relevant to other groups, the core therapy programs are specifically for men and specifically for men of color.

Recognition and Leadership

Founder Tasnim Sulaiman is recognized as an expert on Black men's mental health. She has been featured on The Breakfast Club, NBC Universal, The Philadelphia Inquirer, PBS Nightly News, The New York Times, and other major platforms. She has presented for companies including Major League Baseball, Ralph Lauren, and Netflix, and leads the Black Men Heal team in offering diversity and inclusion consulting.

Who This Fits

This program works for Black men 18 and older (individual therapy and Kings Corner are both for 18+) who live in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, New York City, Maryland, Washington D.C., Virginia, or Georgia (the states where individual therapy is currently offered).

It fits men who want free mental health treatment and therapy. Because all services are free, cost is eliminated as a barrier.

It works for men who want a therapist who understands their cultural background and the specific stressors they face as Black men, including racism and economic disparities. The organization specifically recruits therapists of color and emphasizes cultural competency.

It suits men who prefer virtual care and flexible scheduling. All therapy and groups are delivered online, so no travel is required.

It works for men who want to connect with other men facing similar challenges. The Kings Corner group provides peer support and community, and the individual therapy involves being matched with culturally competent providers of color.

It does not work for men outside the eight states currently served by individual therapy, though Kings Corner is available nationally for men anywhere in the US.

It does not work as an emergency service. If you are in crisis, you need to call 911 or contact a crisis line.

It does not work for people who need immediate therapy. The organization states there is no guarantee of selection and that a waiting period occurs, so timing is not predictable.