Black Men and Mental Health with Dr. S. Kent Butler and Dr. Michael Jones

In this episode Dr. Sharon Givens and her guests Dr. S. Kent Butler and Dr. Michael Jones discuss the mental health challenges faced by Black men. Both guests share their personal journeys and professional insights into how cultural upbringing, systemic racism, and access barriers influence mental wellness in the Black community. They emphasize the importance of authentic representation, community support, and the evolving role of churches and social media in changing the narrative around mental health. Drs. Butler and Jones also introduce their upcoming book "Mental Health and the Black Man: A Mixtape Experience of Hardship and Harmony," which aims to provide both academic and practical perspectives on Black men's mental health.

Dr. S. Kent Butler is a dedicated advocate for social justice and a passionate supporter of family, firmly believing in the power of community to uplift and inspire. As an esteemed educator and counselor, Dr. Butler emphasizes the importance of meeting individuals where they are, not to change them, but to provide pathways to self-discovery, self-love, and a genuine desire for positive change. Dr. Butler holds a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology with a concentration in Counseling Psychology from the University of Connecticut. He is a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) and a Nationally Certified School Counselor (NCSC). Currently, Dr. Butler serves as a Professor of Counselor Education at the University of Central Florida. A former President of the American Counseling Association (2021-2022), Dr. Butler is also an ACA Fellow and previously hosted the ACA's weekly vodcast, "The Voice of Counseling." His leadership extends to the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development (AMCD), where he served as President and ACA Governing Council Representative. Dr. Butler is a proud member of AMCD’s Multicultural Counseling Competencies Revisions Committee, which developed the Multicultural & Social Justice Counseling Competencies (MSJCC). Dr. Butler has co-edited two influential textbooks: "Introduction to 21st Century Counseling: A Multicultural and Social Justice Approach," which received the 2022 Most Promising New Textbook Award from the Textbook & Academic Authors Association, and the newly published "Intersectional Counseling Skills: The Journey to Becoming a Culturally Inclusive Counselor." These works are seminal in guiding counselors to adopt multicultural and social justice perspectives in their practice.

Dr. Michael Jones is a licensed mental health counselor, clinical supervisor, and counselor educator committed to advancing culturally responsive, ethical, and accessible mental health care. His clinical work focuses on supporting historically marginalized communities, and his leadership in counselor education is grounded in practical training, identity-affirming supervision, and values-driven advocacy. Dr. Jones is an active writer and editor whose current projects examine Black masculinity, spirituality, mental health stigma, and the intersections of identity and clinical care. He serves as co-editor of Mental Health and the Black Man: A Mixtape Experience of Hardship and Harmony and is contributing to several book chapters that explore the role of culture in therapeutic practice. His research explores how artificial intelligence can enhance counselor education and clinical training without compromising ethics or client care. He is particularly interested in the use of AI to support documentation, decision-making, and diagnostic clarity while maintaining cultural sensitivity and practitioner accountability. Through his work, Dr. Jones pushes the field to integrate innovation with intention. Whether teaching, supervising, or presenting nationally, he centers the voices of underserved populations and challenges the profession to move toward equity, effectiveness, and long-term impact.