Dr. Kevin Scott
Clinical Director, THE CRISIS PEER
What does Black Mental Wellness mean to you?
A holistic gender based and culturally specific approach to bio-psycho-social wellness that allows the space to have room for all of me.
How do you promote change and well-being in the Black community?
By bringing intentionality and transparency to the hidden layers and invisible wounds of black mental health.
What are some upcoming events you are leading, that promote mental health and wellness, that you would like for our Black Mental Wellness audience to know about?
Black Men’s Mental Health Forum “It’s Ok To Not Be Ok” UAW Black Men In Unions Annual Conference hosted by U of M Dearborn Michigan Department Health and Human Services Mi-Peers Annual Conference Wayne State University Veterans Health Panel
Tell us about your educational and/or professional training, and current area of expertise related to mental health and wellness?
I have been mentoring young Black males since 1996. I have researched and studied the psychological impact of incarceration of thousands of Black men at every sequential intercept of the judicial system. I candidly address homelessness, substance abuse, and misogynistic and criminogenic behaviors as ancillary components of mental health, along with other childhood issues such as mother abandonment, bonding, and personal self loathing.
What are some ways that you promote mental health and wellness through your area of expertise?
I host several mental health podcast each month addressing issues that impact the lives of black men everyday.
What are some things that we should know about your area of expertise?
That I am a product of the process. I have experienced every facet and layer of what I am now a subject matter expert (SME).
How can we encourage more people to seek mental health treatment?
By continuing to highlight individuals in forums like this.
What are your recommendations for ending stigma in the Black community?
By placing mental illness in the same category as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, and other comorbidities.
What can potential clients expect during an initial session? Follow up sessions?
Compassion, honesty, and transparency.
Do you have an experience with seeking mental health treatment that you would like to share with the Black Mental Wellness audience?
I had several experiences that did not end well due to the therapist seeming intimidated and judgmental. I went years without seeking professional help.
What wellness strategies do you think should be given more attention within the Black community? Are there any reasons why you think they are not given more attention?
The marginalization of trauma in the Black culture in my opinion has significantly created a deficiency in awareness surrounding the depth and bandwidth of mental health in the Black community. The void of 'white privilege' removes any buffer that might exist to lessen the impact of Black mental health. In other words, Black people experience the full brunt of their mental health experience, which is exacerbated by the overarching under response or over response of white America.
How do you make time for your own wellness and self-care?
I intentionally combine physical exercise by walking 15 miles a week, with positive self affirmations and spiritual engagement through prayer and meditation.
What are your top 5 favorite wellness and self-care strategies?
Walking, prayer, spiritual engagement, social interaction, and spending quality time with myself.
What resources do you find most helpful to encourage mental health and wellness?
This question is very individualized. A person must explore various options and techniques and support groups and apps that make up the recipe for one's own specific mental health meal.
Guest Contributor
Dr. Kevin Scott is an honorably discharged decorated Marine Veteran of Operation Desert Storm. Academically, he has a Bachelor of Science (Magna Cum Laude) and a Master of Science both in the discipline of Criminal Justice from, North Carolina Central University, in Durham, NC. In addition, he earned a doctorate in Community Counseling and Care specializing in Traumatology from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. He also holds national memberships and state certifications in a myriad of mental health spaces including Harvard’s T. H. Chan School of Public Health Executive Leadership Development, National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI), National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NACDP), Commission on Correctional Healthcare Professional (CCHP), and Commission on Correctional Healthcare Professional-Mental Health (CCHP-MH). Professionally, Kevin serves as a Peer Specialist with the Veteran Health Administration and volunteers as a Veteran mentor for 36th, 19th, and 52nd District Veteran Courts in Southeastern Michigan.
In the past, he has been featured on mental health forums hosted by former Detroit Chief of Police James White, Veteran Town Halls hosted by Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans, and Military Veteran Task Force chaired by former Detroit City Council President Madam Brenda Jones. This published author is a regular co-host for The MANiFest Wellness Talk Show airing locally in the Detroit area on 92.7F.M. In 2020 he was featured in Who’s Who and presented with a National Service Coin from former VA Secretary Robert Wilkie during the first Trump administration. In 2022, Kevin was named Oakland County CIT Peer Advocate of the Year; the 2022 Community Leadership Award Winner by Man Rise Up; and voted the 2022 Superior Service Award winner for the Southfield Chapter of Omega Psi Phi. In December of 2023 Dr. Scott was presented with the Instance of Excellence Award by the Detroit VA , and in 2024 he was named VISN 10 Peer of the Year.