In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Los Angeles Rams’ locker room was the meeting place for a much-overdue conversation about the mental health and wellness challenges of men of color over a 4-course dinner prepared by the Sofi Stadium chefs.
The Rams partnered with Children’s Institute’s Project Fatherhood and the National Alliance of Mental Health (NAMI) where approximately 40 Black and Latino men in caregiver roles were welcomed by Rams’ staff eager to share the locker room of the Super Bowl LVl Champions. Unlike most visits of pro football stadiums, football was not the topic.
“Today’s goal is to bring in 40 fathers, single fathers, foster fathers, caregivers, just individuals throughout South L.A. and really prepare them with parenthood and mental health resources,” said Johnathan Franklin, Rams director of Social Justice and Football Development. With each course served, the goal was to introduce a new topic and discussion amongst the group around mental health and wellness.
Franklin, who grew up with a very supportive and loving father, said social justice is a core value of Ram’s organization and they responded to the community’s need for this kind of intervention. “This isn’t about football. [The Rams] are not the subject matter experts today but we want to be intentional in partnering smart in filling the needs and gaps with fathers, in supporting them in whatever is necessary to help these men be examples, role models, to be teachers, to be educators, to be whatever is necessary to help the children in their lives. This is significant,” he said.
Keith Parker, director of Project Fatherhood, acknowledged the Rams for opening up their facility to this dedicated group of men for such a crucial gathering. “My expectations are to make sure we are educating fathers about mental health and what that means so that we can talk about the signs and symptoms so that we can begin to break the stigma about mental health,” Parker said. We want these fathers who experience challenges while parenting to know it’s okay not to be okay, sometimes. And to be able to talk to someone about what they’re going through.”
Archie Green, NAMI BIPOC Male Mental Health manager, greeted the all-male group as brothers and kings. Throughout the dinner, he presented thought-provoking topic questions, such as “What role has food played in your mental and physical health?” and “Why is prioritizing your mental health as a Black or Latino male important to you and your children?” With each course serving and topic, the men became shared personal experiences and were empowered by their vulnerability in addressing the challenging subject matter and sharing mental and physical wellness strategies. In group sharing, some dialogue included healthy eating for mental and physical health, self-affirmations and image building, and a need for family gatherings at the dinner table.
Co-facilitator, Wil Cason, felt such gatherings provide rare opportunities to generate an impact on society. “When we have a safe space that is non-judgmental, we can come together with these kings and leaders and talk about some of these issues that may be uncomfortable, but in this setting, we can be comfortable with being uncomfortable to support one another, to strengthen and uplift each other,” he said.
Keith Parker was moved emotionally when Johnathan Franklin surprised him with the Ram’s Playmaker Award and a check for $5,000 in honor of Rams’ former player and trailblazer, Kenny Washington, “who broke barriers, was a leader, inspired change, and so much more,” said Franklin.
