Jim Wasswa and Ruben Cabral speak to Courtney Brown, CEO of Father2Father and community leader, about the lack of support for black men and mental health

Courtney Brown is a social entrepreneur and the chief executive of Father2Father (credit Ruben Cabral)

In a time where men are told that they can be vulnerable, it is vital to ask: is this truly the reality for men, especially for black men?

While conversations around mental health have become more open in recent years, there remains a significant gap in how support is accessed and experienced.

The stark truth is that black men are often overlooked in the early stages of mental health support, yet are disproportionately represented at the point of crisis. By the time support is offered, it is often too late, reactive rather than preventative, and rarely equipped to address the lived realities of their experiences.

This is where people within the community step in to bridge that gap. One of those individuals is Courtney Brown, chief executive of Father2Father. He is a social entrepreneur with skill sets in trauma informed practice, expert by experience practice, restorative practice, mental health first aid and community advocacy.

Courtney’s work is grounded in lived experience and a deep understanding of the needs within his community. When we had the opportunity to interview him, he spoke with pride about Edmonton, a place that holds deep meaning for him.

For Courtney, Edmonton represents community, identity and home. It is where his roots are grounded and where his purpose continues to grow. He also reflected on how the Enfield he grew up in had no social media and how its presence today has shaped identity and influence among younger generations.

Reflecting on his journey, he shared a time when he struggled with identity. He spoke openly about wearing different masks to navigate life, presenting himself through material success, such as living a champagne lifestyle with money, designer clothing and attention from women.

These were not simply lifestyle choices, but shields used to hide the pain of a young boy who wanted to be loved, understood and seen. His honesty reveals a deeper truth: many men are not lacking strength but spaces where they can safely express vulnerability without judgement.

This highlights the urgent need for intentional spaces where black men can connect, heal, reflect and speak openly; spaces where vulnerability is not seen as weakness, but as a pathway to growth.

In response to this need, an initiative is being introduced to the community: Men CHAT Too. Developed by Father2Father, it is an accredited counselling and healing programme designed to create exactly that kind of space.

So why Enfield, and why now? As a pilot initiative, there is no better place to begin than within the communities that shaped the very experiences it seeks to address. The programme will run over eleven sessions, covering key areas such as a basic introduction to counselling, mental wellbeing, fatherhood, healthy relationships, child development and personal development. These topics are carefully chosen to address areas where many men silently struggle.

At its core, the programme creates a culturally competent space, one that respects the unique social, cultural and emotional realities of black men. It offers an opportunity to process unresolved experiences from both adolescence and adulthood, supporting participants in becoming not only better individuals but stronger fathers, trauma informed practitioners and community advocates.

An additional strength of the programme lies in its accreditation in introductory counselling. This is not only about personal healing but also about building capacity within the community – by equipping men with foundational counselling skills and positive male role models. This creates a ripple effect where those who heal are able to can support others. This approach represents a shift from dependency to empowerment.

Courtney does not present himself as perfect. He speaks openly about experiencing an emotionally absent father and acknowledges that he has made some of the same mistakes. However, what sets him apart from his mistakes is his willingness to take accountability. He recognises the need for change and the need to heal himself if he wants to heal his household.

This pivotal moment shows that healing is a choice and growth is possible!

Ultimately, spaces like this are vital. Too often, black men move between work, home, and education systems where they are defined by what they do rather than who they are. Their humanity is overlooked, their emotions dismissed, and their struggles misunderstood. Men CHAT Too challenges that reality, creating a space where black men are recognised fully as individuals, fathers, sons and human beings.

For more information:
Visit father2father.co.uk

LocalMotion Enfield is part of a UK-wide movement for community-led change – we're proud to partner with Enfield Dispatch to share local voices and stories

This article is published with support from LocalMotion Enfield, part of a UK-wide movement for community-led change

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