The Invisible Ache, Black Men Identifying Their Pain and Reclaiming Their Power By Courtney B. Vance and Dr. Robin Smith
New York- Award-winning actor Courtney B. Vance and bestselling author Dr. Robin L. Smith as they discuss their new book The Invisible Ache: Black Men Identifying Their Pain and Reclaiming Their Power. This book is meant to guide Black men to reclaim mental well-being and provide support to living a whole, full-hearted life. A thoughtful, wise, empathetic book that has the capacity to save lives. " (Kirkus)
Courtney B. Vance is an award-winning actor on stage, on film, and on television. His credits include historically noteworthy films such as Hamburger Hill, The Hunt for Red October, The Preacher’s Wife, and The Adventures of Huck Finn.
A moving combination of memoir, psychology, and practical tools, this book offers Black men guidance and support for reclaiming mental well-being and finding whole, full-hearted living.
Early in his career, actor Courtney B. Vance lost his father to suicide. Recently, he lost his godson to the same fate. Still, as mental health discourse hits the mainstream, it leaves the most vulnerable out of the conversation: Black men in America, we teach that strength means holding back tears and shaming your own feelings. In the Black community, these pressures are especially poignant. Poor mental health outcomes— including diagnoses of depression and anxiety, reliance on prescription drugs, and suicide— have skyrocketed in the past decade. Institutionalized racism, micro aggressions, and stress caused by socioeconomic factors have led Black individuals to face worse mental health outcomes than any other demographic.
Dr. Robin L. Smith is the #1 bestselling author of Lies at the Altar: The Truth About Great Marriages, as well as Hungry: The Truth About Being Full, a sought-after speaker, experienced media personality, ordained minister, and host of SiriusXM’s TheDr. Robin Show addresses today’s most pressing societal challenges through fearless truth-telling.
In this book, Courtney B. Vance seeks to change this trajectory. Along with professional expertise from famed psychologist Dr. Robin L. Smith (popularly known as “Dr. Robin”), Courtney B. Vance explores issues of grief, relationships, identity, and race through the telling of his own most formative experiences. Together, Courtney and Dr. Robin provide a guide for Black men navigating life’s ups and downs, reclaiming mental well-being, and examining broken pieces to find whole, full-hearted living. Self-care is an act of revolution. It’s time to revolutionize mental health in the Black community.
