In-Depth Reporting 2024
Manship School journalism students choose their topics for In-Depth Reporting, a required course, usually in their third year of studies. Their interests reflect the issues of the moment and what moves them to report deeply to try to tell the story whole. Students work in groups, report their progress regularly and each is responsible for several interviews.
For all of them, this is their first experience at working on a topic for a few months. They learned to focus their investigations, and how to tell their stories in the most interesting, personable ways. They also considered how best to package their work with text, video and graphics.
All three of these topics deserve continued reporting and reflection. The students were engaged and focused. They put their energy into telling the strongest possible stories. Their work reflects a teaching and learning experience over just one semester knowing these topics deserve continued reporting and reflection.
The South is growing. Since 2020, population in the region has been increasing, making the South the fastest growing and most populous region in the country, despite the pandemic and recession.
Except Louisiana.
After being kicked out of their father’s home at age 17, Al Fantauzzo, who uses they/them pronouns, quickly learned many of the hard truths of being homeless in Louisiana, from the necessity of owning a car to the inescapable, harsh temperatures.
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Mental health struggles can affect anyone, anywhere, at almost any time.
Regardless of occupation, age, or race, there are people everywhere who suffer. But for the many people who struggle, not many are seen. And of this abundance of people, many are men.
LSU Memorial Tower on the Baton Rouge campus
Photo Credit: Sam Forbes
Leaving Louisiana
People Leaving Louisiana Despite Record Growth of the South
by Corbin Ross
The South is growing. Since 2020, population in the region has been increasing, making the South the fastest growing and most populous region in the country, despite the pandemic and recession.
Except Louisiana.
More than 84,000 people have left the state since 2020, according to the census. Louisiana saw a decrease of 1.8% over three years. In that same period the South grew by 3.7 million people.
“For Southern states we are bad,” said Jeff Adelson, of New Orleans Times-Picayune who tracks population trends “Most of the South is growing.”
Most of the South’s population growth is from Americans moving to the region. Mississippi has also lost population, too, but not as severely as Louisiana.
Adelson said that death rates have risen in Louisiana since the pandemic, and birth rates have fallen. With fewer people moving to the state and more are leaving, the state’s population is in decline.
South vs. Louisiana
Andrew Fitzgerald, senior vice president of business at the Baton Rouge Area Chamber of Commerce, has studied the population trend for years and said people are leaving for what he calls “quality of place issues,” and a lack of high paying jobs.
Poor quality of place includes high crime, poor public education, lack of amenities, and poor infrastructure. He said these issues drive weak job growth, making it harder to find good jobs. He said Mississippi is in a similar situation to Louisiana.
“Like Mississippi, like Jackson, we have metros with high crime, with struggling public schools, and with massive infrastructure issues,” Fitzgerald said.
Fitzgerald said many of Louisiana’s large metro areas are losing to other metro areas that have more amenities. These include greater walkability in downtowns and residential neighborhoods as well as up-to-date public transit.
Fitzgerald said even in places that have opportunity for many white-collar jobs, like New Orleans and Baton Rouge, they’ve garnered poor reputations as petrochemical towns.
Fitzgerald said there isn’t a magical solution from the government that can fix this.
“Each community needs to become the kind of place people, especially young people, want to move to,” Fitzgerald said.
Much of the population loss has been among younger people, primarily ages 25 to 34 who are looking for good jobs in good communities, Fitzgerald said. With high unemployment and poor quality of place, many are moving out. He said many in this group who have children will also leave because of the poor public school system.
Fitzgerald said that as a region, the South had a population boom after 2020 because of looser pandemic restrictions than in other places and lower cost of living than other areas. He said because of Louisiana’s quality of place issues, Louisiana did not benefit from this.
Fitzgerald said shrinking population could lead to less tax revenue for the state, meaning less for public works, infrastructure, education and other projects to improve quality of life. He said this makes it hard for businesses to grow, as they aren’t able to find suitable candidates to fill roles. He said this could make Louisiana less attractive to businesses and could worsen the economy and quality of life.
“There’s a certain vibrancy that comes with a large, growing population,” Fitzgerald said.
Fitzgerald said as the state loses young people, it loses the age cohort that drives concerts, festivals, nightlife, and other local events and amenities that make communities lively. He said as these communities shrink they become less attractive.
Moving to Texas
According to the census data, the primary state Louisianians are moving to is Texas.
Andrew Malsbury owns a small business providing IT services to other businesses, primarily dentists. He started his business after leaving college at Louisiana Tech and began providing services in Louisiana. Here he saw firsthand how little-margin small businesses had to pay for IT work.
Malsbury’s primary reason for leaving to Texas was to support his grandmother, but he said he also left because it’s difficult to provide this support in Louisiana’s economy. He said nearly all his expenses are cheaper in Texas, notably car insurance which was cut in half in Texas, and he’s been able to expand his IT business to law firms. Overall, he said he’s found more opportunities for IT work in Texas than Louisiana.
“In Louisiana it was a lot more pulling teeth to try to get sales done,” Malsbury said.
Malsbury said he’s also grown concerned about environmental issues in the state, such as coastal erosion, and the threat of storms around New Orleans.
“Feels like things are falling apart, more than just economically,” Malsbury said. “There’s not enough attention given to the land that we live on. There’s not enough attention given to the people that live around us.”
According to Adelson, the parishes with the strongest population decline were the most impacted by the hurricanes of the past few years, such as Calcasieu and Cameron parishes near Lake Charles, Louisiana in the Western portion of the state.
In May of 2021, Baton Rouge took on 13 inches of rain, according to WBRZ-TV. Lane Delafosse found his car and home flooded.
“Our house took on three inches, and in trying to save my car and move it to higher ground I pulled out and my car started floating,” Delafosse said. “And a Prius doesn’t do well in the water.”
Delafosse said he had planned a trip to Minnesota soon after this incident. Upon arriving, he said he really liked the state and soon after decided to move.
Delafosse said weather was a factor in the decision, but there were others. He said he felt politically ostracized as a self-described leftist. He said he felt pushed out economically, saying it’s hard to make a good income in Louisiana.
Some regions in Louisiana are in fact growing, such as in the Southeast area. St. Tammany and Tangipahoa parishes saw population increases, but this is likely from others in the state moving there, according to Adelson, not from people moving from other states.
Job Opportunities
Malachi Carroll is originally from Lake Charles, Louisiana. He graduated from McNeese State University at 18 years old, and moved to Los Angeles, California a year later to pursue a career in entertainment. He says he cannot find modeling or acting jobs in his hometown.
“There are so many opportunities to get into film, television, photography, culinary arts and many other spaces in California that are limited in Louisiana,” he said.
Amber Williams shares this sentiment, as she plans to relocate after graduation from Louisiana State University. She aspires to be a managing editor one day, and as an English major, she does not think Louisiana is the best place for her goals.
“Louisiana is more of a STEM major and healthcare place,” she said. “It’s not really meant for writers, editors or journalists. Of course you can find it, but it’s very hard to find that market.” Williams said.
Williams is so passionate about this issue that she started the LSU Fashion Magazine in the fall of 2023. With the magazine, she hopes to create opportunities for writers, stylists, photographers, models and other creatives to thrive on campus.
“I decided to create my own opportunities,” she said.
Health & The State’s Response
Tiara Pullen, program coordinator of the state’s health department, says Louisiana is undergoing a statewide health crisis.
“The number one cause of death in Louisiana is heart disease,” she said. “Maternal mortality rates are increasing. Natural disasters are wiping out Louisiana residents left and right. And there is an overall lack of access and resources for our people.”
Pullen’s official place of work is the Bureau of Community Preparedness, where employees work together to make the community more aware of public health crises. They are responsible for planning and hosting year-round community outreach events. For example, the bureau hosted a “Heart Walk” in April to raise awareness about heart disease.
Though the state cannot control the weather, it can provide resources for residents to prepare for natural disasters. Last summer, a few employees went downtown to pass out pamphlets, hurricane safety tips and backpacks full of emergency supplies for the upcoming hurricane season.
“LDH also has multiple resources on its website,” she said, referring to the health department. “We have articles and digital pamphlets related to COVID-19, the flu, behavioral health, aging services, you name it.”
While the bureau is improving the community’s awareness of public health crises, there is always room for improvement. Pullen says she wishes the state were more accommodating and inclusive.
***
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Why Some Louisiana-Born Students Stay - For Now
by Sam Forbes
What makes people stay in Louisiana? According to some Louisiana college students, it is really a matter of birthright and the comparatively lower cost of school.
At the end of the day, education plays a major factor in keeping young people in Louisiana. After higher education is achieved, young people find many more job possibilities in other states such as Texas, Tennessee and Florida.
“Culturally and personhood wise, I’m not really that connected to the state,” said LSU junior Micah Lim. “Besides other than being born here.”
Lim, 20, was born in Louisiana but moved to Malaysia when he was 6-years-old. However, as he grew up, he made many trips back to the United States to visit family and friends. After turning 18 and becoming college-ready, he moved back to Louisiana to attend LSU.
But for plans after college, Lim says that he is open to opportunities elsewhere. “I wish there was more stuff to keep me here,” he said.
Lim is not the only person to feel this way. “TOPS. It’s what is paying for my school and that’s the ultimate reason that I’m still here,” says LSU sophomore Bradley Davis referring to the state-sponsored tuition aid program. Growing up in Tangipahoa Parish, Davis, 20, chose to attend college in Louisiana due to financial aid he earned under the state program.
“I was born here and grew up here and because of that, I can keep going to school in Louisiana at a pretty good price,” Davis continued. Yet, when asked about where they may go after college, both Lim and Davis said that they would seek opportunities somewhere outside Louisiana.
This line of thought is similar to that of LSU junior Colin Vabin. “I want to move to Tampa. They have better opportunities there.” said Vabin. “Especially since I am in finance.”
Vabin also grew up in Tangipahoa Parish, but once he graduated high school, he went to a junior college in Mississippi and returned to Louisiana to finish his degree.
“I grew up on the water, so the culture down here is something that has brought me back,” Vabin said.
When it came to coming back to Louisiana, his ties are more cultural, compared to why he wants to leave the state.
Economic opportunity is something that all the parties involved are looking for in other states.
However, they plan to stay in Louisiana for the time being. Until they graduate college, Louisiana remains their home.
“I’ve got a job here right now and I still have a good bit of school left so it only makes sense for me to stay here until I at least graduate,” Davis said.
Though they would like to move, Louisiana is their home for the time being.
“I live with my parents for the time being and that’s really not that bad,” Davis said. “Yeah, I would like to leave, but at the moment, I don’t mind living the life I have right now for a little while longer,” he said.
Until graduation, Davis does not mind staying in Louisiana. Those opinions are also shared by Lim and Vabin.
“If it wasn’t for TOPS, I probably wouldn’t be here,” Davis continued.
With the help of TOPS, many Louisiana students are able to afford expensive higher education. This fact alone keeps those like Davis in the state, but only while he is a student.
***
The Capital Area Alliance Day Shelter in Baton Rouge offers homeless counseling and computers, showers and laundry.
Photo credit: Tori Ingrassia
Homelessness in Baton Rouge:
A Shortage of Beds
by Colin Falcon (@nestingnests)
After being kicked out of their father’s home at age 17, Al Fantauzzo, who uses they/them pronouns, quickly learned many of the hard truths of being homeless in Louisiana, from the necessity of owning a car to the inescapable, harsh temperatures.
For most of their life, Fantauzzo lived with their father and stepmother. Homelife was difficult, with Fantauzzo’s undiagnosed, borderline personality disorder causing dispute after dispute in the house and culminating in many non-consensual trips to mental hospitals. Fantauzzo said the problem came to a head after their fifth trip to a mental hospital when an argument got particularly heated.
While Fantauzzo was able to find friends and strangers willing to loan a couch, most homeless people in Baton Rouge don’t have that option.
Only 200 Beds
On any night in Baton Rouge, there are around 500 to 700 homeless people and only about 200 beds, according to Pam Wall, the current board chair for the Capital Area Alliance for the Homeless.
A significant portion of Baton Rouge’s homeless population is left without a place to sleep on a nightly basis. This problem, however, isn’t new.
In 2019, The Louisiana State Balance of Continuum of Care’s (LA BOSCOC) 2019 Point in Time survey counted around 748 homeless people in the city. LA BOSCOC is a group of organizations and people working to end homelessness in the state and inform people about the reality of the problem by conducting annual demographic surveys of homeless people.
LA BOSCOC’s demographic work shows that while homelessness fluctuated greatly during the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of people without a place to sleep has remained consistent.
St. Vincent De Paul is currently the biggest resource for homeless people seeking shelter at night. The facility first opened in 1997 and currently offers over 150 beds.
Aside from St. Vincent, the primary shelters in Baton Rouge are the Youth Oasis, which provides services for primarily children and young adults; Raven’s Outreach Center, which provides shelter for the general homeless population with a focus on veterans; the Jasmine Lily Foundation, which is a nonprofit that provides counseling and emergency shelter; and several others.
There are many organizations seeking to accommodate the homeless population, but ultimately, it doesn’t improve the number of available beds.
To make matters worse, homeless people from nearby Louisiana cities like Kenner and LaPlace often get discharged from mental health facilities and brought to Baton Rouge based on the assumption that a shelter bed will be available.
Hunter James, the 36-year-old housing manager at Salvation Army Bed and Bread Lodge, said the Lodge sees someone dropped off from out of town with no I.D. around eight times a month.
“They weren’t given the paperwork they needed. They weren’t given the follow-up they needed. They were discharged from places that are so far away, so they won’t be a problem again,” said James. “They just drop them off as if they’re warm bodies.”
James said this practice speaks to a lack of respect for the basic humanity of people without homes. Without proper I.D. or paperwork, obtaining a job, housing or car becomes even harder.
The Mayor Steps In
Addressing the problem at large has been a central focus of Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome, who announced a substantial homelessness prevention and accommodation initiative in February.
The most significant aspect of this initiative is the large amount of funding being directed toward St. Vincent de Paul, which will receive $1 million of federal HOME American Rescue Plan funds to construct a 24-hour non-congregate shelter offering 32 rooms and 128 beds, an increase from about 200 beds currently.
All the current shelters in Baton Rouge are congregate, meaning most of the people seeking shelter share one or two large rooms filled with cots.
These sleeping arrangements are a concern for some people seeking shelter. Many homeless people struggle with addiction or mental illness, so the large rooms with little or no dividing walls or personal space can be intimidating.
Fantauzzo said they often avoided staying the night in shelters for those exact reasons. Over their two years without a home, Fantauzzo said they only stayed in a shelter for three nights and would often prefer to sleep on the couches of total strangers, despite having similar safety concerns.
“There's always either somebody in the corner all cracked out nodding off or somebody that you think is dead but is just probably deeply asleep from how much stress they’re under,” they said.
A shelter like the one proposed by Broome, with individual rooms for families and smaller groups of people, could help more homeless feel comfortable and safe to use available beds.
Wall, of Capital Area Alliance, thinks family shelters with individual rooms are an under-addressed aspect of homeless accommodations. She said there are multiple shelters for specifically women and children, so when a family needs a bed, the father must stay out on the street.
Alleviating Homelessness
In terms of making progress on the issue, Wall thinks the government could introduce many socio-economic policies aimed at alleviating some of the financial stress faced by the poorest people.
“Subsidizing childcare, raising the minimum wage and transportation---one of the problems in our parish, the CATs folks have trouble keeping up,” she said, referring to the local bus system.
But most important to Wall are systemic changes to how the public is educated about homelessness. She said many privileged people view homelessness as a personal failure that can be worked through and solved with enough effort, which Wall doesn’t understand.
“They believe that if you’re homeless, it’s just because you don’t want to work, or if you’re homeless, you just want to get all the government benefits,” Wall said.
“But when you look at people who are really homeless and talk to people who are really street homeless, who would want that kind of life?” Wall asked.
She also said that the public needs to understand how little money homeless people really receive from the government, if they’re receiving any at all. While most homeless people get a government check every month, whether it’s Social Security, supplemental security or disability payments, it’s not enough to compensate for rising rent and insurance prices in the state, said Wall.
Many homeless people don’t want to live off government aid. Many want jobs, but they often find the task of getting one to be near-impossible within the limitations of their situation.
Brady Norsworthy, a 23-year-old homeless man, said finding employment has been one of the biggest challenges he’s faced. Without a home address to give employers and without essential government identification, he can’t meet most of the basic requirements for most low-pay, low-skill labor.
“It’s like a deal breaker for most people because they’re like, ‘we don’t want people who can’t take a shower or stay on the streets every night to be at the job,’” said Norsworthy.
Norsworthy was released from jail a couple of years ago after a drug charge, and has since gotten clean while dealing with the day-to-day struggles of living on the street. Now, he’s been sleeping on a bench behind the Capital Area Alliance shelter. He said he wants to try and secure a bed at St. Vincent de Paul.
“Finding a place to lay my head at night, you know it’s hard being out here and not knowing where your next meal is going to be or not knowing if you have a place to lay your head at comfortably,” Norsworthy said.
For some, homelessness can be nothing more than the result of an unfortunate stroke of bad luck.
L.C. Joseph Jr., a 60-year-old homeless man staying at St. Vincent de Paul, had a reliable place to lay his head at night, but Hurricane Ida toppled a tree on his house in 2021. Joseph has been homeless since then, and he’s been saving money from his job as a truck driver in hopes of getting a more permanent residence.
Joseph doesn’t feel like life dealt him an unwinnable hand though, because the housing accommodations at St. Vincent have allowed him to save up while also having a place to eat and sleep. He believes most homeless people could do the same, but they’re either content to coast off government checks or allow drugs to ruin their lives.
“They chose to think they’re getting better when they get a check. And they get in some shelter some time and then they get kicked out,” said Joseph.
Tori Ingrassia, Joshua Okparaocha and Maya Vereen contributed reporting to this article.
***
Al Fantauzzo as a child, photographed by their mother.
Credit: Janie Murphy
This argument came to a head with Fantauzzo’s stepmother calling the cops. With the father’s blessing, the police officers removed Fantauzzo from their home in New Orleans. Left without a place to stay, Fantauzzo spent the next two years constantly struggling to find a friend or stranger willing to loan out their couch for a day or two, while trying to finish a high school education and hold down a job.
“The night before I got kicked out, I was working on an art project, waiting to turn it in the next day. And then all of a sudden, I had nothing,” said Fantauzzo.
Fantauzzo, now 19 and about to start college, has since stabilized their life, which they said was only possible through sheer luck. By finding a friend in Baton Rouge that allowed them to take up residence on the couch for around four straight months, Fantauzzo was able to save up money while working at a mechanic shop directly across the street.
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A Beacon of Hope: Inside a Capital Area Day Shelter
by Tori Ingrassia, Maya Vereen, Colin Falcon and Joshua Okparaocha
Denise Terrence, the St. Vincent De Paul Dining Hall director prepares sandwiches with volunteers.
In the heart of Baton Rouge, one day shelter is a vital resource for those grappling with homelessness. Equipped with a modern computer lab, the shelter provides a space for job searches, online learning, and entertainment, Capital Area Alliance for the Homeless does not provide sleeping accommodations but it seemingly has everything else.
Not only does the alliance provide visitors with entertainment, they also provide full bathrooms and showers. With a full time shower manager and attendant, the group ensures personal hygiene needs for those who would otherwise be left outdoors.
In the broader context of the national issue of homelessness, nonprofit is an example of grassroots initiatives making a tangible difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals. Through collaboration between government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and dedicated volunteers, this shelter and others like it are trying to collectively take action in tackling one of society’s most pressing issues.
Viewing the day-to-day workings of this day shelter, Wall takes notice of socioeconomic factors contributing to homelessness as the alliance aims to provide support.
"Subsidizing child care, raising the minimum wage, and improving transportation infrastructure are crucial components of a comprehensive approach to addressing homelessness," Wall said.
"We have to figure out a way to lower the cost of safe and healthy housing," Wall said. Wall’s emphasis on housing affordability and safety demonstrates the shelter's commitment to addressing the multifaceted needs of the homeless community.
Each day at the facility is marked by a sense of community and support, as individuals begin to form a routine and create relationships. From braiding each other’s hair in the front parking lot to sitting around having discussions about what they could scrounge up for lunch, the visitors create a home that is not their own.
"I do think there are more things that the government can do, first of which is to educate people on how people become homeless," Wall said. This focus on education and awareness, echoed by other advocates, highlights the importance of understanding the complex factors contributing to homelessness.
As the alliance continues to serve as a cornerstone of assistance for those experiencing homelessness, it offers not only practical assistance, and maybe some unconventional assistance, they offer hope. Through services and commitment to advocacy, the Capital Area Alliance Day Shelter stands as a beacon of hope in the fight against homelessness, demonstrating the power of community and governmental collaboration in creating positive atmosphere and change.
With homelessness being a pressing issue not only in Baton Rouge but also across the nation, the alliance’s model of providing services offers valuable insights into effective strategies for addressing the complexities of homelessness. By combining assistance, both practical and not, with advocacy efforts, the shelter exemplifies the importance of both immediate relief and long-term systemic change in combating homelessness.
The shelter's emphasis on education and awareness underscores the importance of addressing the root causes of homelessness. By fostering understanding and empathy within the community, the shelter tries to reduce stigma and promote empathy toward those experiencing homelessness, doing so through their services like laundry, computer labs and showers.
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But being nervous is a common mantra among almost all men when it comes to talking about their emotional pain. For the sake of athletes, Louisiana state Sen. Cleo Fields proposed a bill that “requires that each city, parish, or other local public school board and each postsecondary education institution provide at least one mental health counselor for all high school and college student athletes.” Senator Fields’ bill aims to have a professional on-site dedicated to talking to students about mental health.
“I’m trying to improve the lives of student athletes,” Fields said during a press conference at the Press Club of Baton Rouge. “We cheer and clap for athletes when they do well, and when they don’t do so well, sometimes we get so caught up into the moment that many times we boo them, or we say things to them that we shouldn’t,” the Baton Rouge Democrat said. “We don’t really know the effects that can have on student athletes.”
But Senator Fields’ bill can help more than just student athletes for the sake of being athletes. There are over 400 high schools in the Louisiana High School Athletic Association, and 26 colleges and universities governed by the NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA. In the end, student athletes are people, and the mental health resources provided are meant to help them as more than just student athletes. [Editor's note: Sen. Cleo Fields' bill to provide athletes access to mental health professionals is still pending in the Legislature.]
Many of these student athletes come from different backgrounds and different walks of life. And different races and ethnicities face their own struggles when it comes to mental health, and face them in different ways. In today’s society, these differences are stark.
Particularly within the Black community, the stigma surrounding mental health in Black culture usually leads to silence and avoidance of seeking help. This hesitancy to address mental health concerns can make the problem worse and lead to serious consequences.
A National Center for Health Statistics study shows that Black men are 33% less likely to seek mental health treatment compared to their white counterparts, despite facing similar rates of mental health disorders.The societal pressure to appear strong and resilient, coupled with historical and systemic barriers to accessing quality mental health care, add to this disparity. The history of systemic racism in healthcare, coming from discriminatory practices like a syphilis study coined as the “Tuskegee Experiment,” and the unequal access to medical resources in mostly Black communities, has caused a lack of trust of healthcare institutions.
Cultural factors play a huge role in how Black men look for mental health support. Historically, the Black community has relied heavily on church and spiritual leaders as sources of emotional guidance and support. The church often serves as a pillar of strength and solace, offering counseling, prayer, and support networks.
Although spiritual assistance can be a great addition to mental health care, it's important that it adds to instead of replacing professional therapy approaches. Addressing the mental health needs of Black men requires a multifaceted approach that acknowledges the interconnection of social, historical, and cultural factors.
For generations, the church has served as a refuge for Black people and their families. Within this context, the church plays a central role in shaping attitudes and perceptions about mental health. Religious teachings usually emphasize the power of prayer, faith and spiritual guidance to overcome personal struggles. As a result, prayer and spiritual practices are taught to be the primary solution for their mental health challenges.
In addition, members of the LGBTQ community feel no different when it comes to experiencing the weight of society’s pressure on masculinity. Brown, the Baton Rouge therapist, said LGBTQ members can deal with discrimination from family and the public. They still require love, trust, connection and identity, Brown said. When LSU student Matthew Pellittieri told his Roman Catholic relative that he was gay, he was told to join the priesthood. Growing up in Catholic, private schools and the youngest of five children, Pellittieri feels disappointed in his family’s beliefs.
“You'll hear people say, ‘I love you no matter what.’ Which that statement in itself implies that they're having to look past something, and that's not comforting,” Pellittieri said.
He remembers the exact date he came out to another family member, his mom. It was Feb. 5, 2024, just short of two months when Pellittieri sat down to talk about his experience as a member of the LGBTQ community.
His mom had been helping him find a new therapist, so she went along with him to a consultation. When the therapist kept asking about his love life, Pellittieri kept trying to move on to the next subject, which his mom noticed. The consultation ended, and she confronted him in the car where he officially came out to her after dropping hints for years. He was met with love but not support.
Pellittieri agrees that men’s mental health can often go unnoticed. He believes the “American dream” lens of what men should be has negatively impacted society’s treatment of male emotion.
“There's the American Dream type idea of a man,” Pellittieri said. “That is somebody who doesn't show motion and who works through the pain in order to achieve their—you know, pull themselves up by the bootstraps.”
But for every man that struggles with mental health, there is almost always a woman that feels the repercussions of his struggles. Women are diagnosed with serious mental health conditions at a higher rate than men, with a ratio of seven to four. However with the build up of emotions and not talking about it, men are resulting in anxiety, anger, and depression leading to suicides or other harmful acts.
“[You] must acknowledge that you see them,” said Brown.
As providers, lovers and companions, you have to help men express themselves, said Brown. Most men are under attack and have heavy burdens, she said. You will not get passed level one with men if you don’t acknowledge that you see them, said Brown.
The most important factors in helping a male maintain [their] mental health are environment, nurturement, authenticity, connection and knowledge, she said. You must see what they see, feel what they feel, said Brown.
“Authenticity is the most important factor that we must pay attention to when it comes to men,” said Brown.
Environment, nurturement and authenticity were all qualities for Dana Appelhans when helping her son, Braden, through his battle with depression. Now, he is in a better place with his mental health, and in a position where he can help others.
On Feb. 28, he took his story to both Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), which caught the attention of millions.
“It’s been way more than I expected. I didn’t expect to get millions of views on my Twitter post,” Braden said. “All these DMs I’ve been getting are great.”
It is possible to come out on the other side. With a good support system, a proper initiative and a vision for something better, anxiety, depression, and more can be conquered.
For Braden, the time he was looking for when things would get better, when he would finally turn the corner, is in sight. And with a similar drive to his, and a support system similar to his, the same is possible.
***
Men's Mental Health
A Universal Struggle: Mental Health and How it Affects All Men in Society
By Jariel Christopher, Tyler Harden, Brandon LaGrone and Maddie Scott
All was quiet in the mountains of Albuquerque, New Mexico when Braden Appelhans asked his mother, “Mom, when do you start to feel better? When am I finally going to turn the corner?”
Mental health struggles can affect anyone, anywhere, at almost any time.
University of New Mexico’s Braden Appelhans shoots a 3-pointer against University of California-Santa Barbara on December 6, 2023. (Photo Courtesy of Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)
Regardless of occupation, age, or race, there are people everywhere who suffer. But for the many people who struggle, not many are seen. And of this abundance of people, many are men.
More women in the United States received mental health services than men did in 2021.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the suicide rate among males in 2021 was about four times higher than the rate among females; 38,358 male suicides compared to 9,825 female suicides in that year alone.
In addition, suicide rates increased 37% within males between 2000-2018 and decreased just 5% between 2018-2020.
But mental health disease doesn’t always lead to suicide within men; many live with their struggles.
Men are often not heard or seen talking about their mental health, which can worsen their situations. In many cultures, stereotypes depict men as strong, tough, providers who must not show signs of weakness. Many men see merely talking about their mental health as a “weakness,” and it is being taught at a very young age.
Men may start to seek help when it comes to their mental health as family and friends encourage them to speak up and treat it. The door begins to open for more mental health issues as men develop a safe space with counselors, said Christi Brown, a therapist at Kingdom Kounsel and counselor at Baton Rouge Youth Coalition.
“[Men] are the ones who are most researched,” said Brown. “They’re more closed off and only address things on a superficial level due to pain and trust, so you must acknowledge that you see them in order for them to cut through the noise.”
Appelhans, a college athlete in New Mexico, is one of the lucky ones, as his mother, Dana, supported him through struggles since the age of four, when he was diagnosed with attention deficit disorder and anxiety. But like it is for many male athletes especially, mental health struggles are unexpected from the fans and the general public, and sometimes unexpected by themselves, which makes it even harder for male athletes to talk about their struggles.
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Counselor Christi Brown works for BRYC, the Baton Rouge Youth Coalition, which helps teens go onto college and graduate. The group recently won an award for best places to work.
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by Tyler Harden
Mental Health in Athletes
Men's Mental Health in the Black Community
by Brandon LaGrone
Mental Health Within LGBTQ Men
by Maddie Scott
"I'm a Black man in America. Who gives a damn?" said Christian Treaudo, a 20-year-old Southern University senior. Treaudo's attitude sums up the challenges and resilience of many Black men dealing with mental health issues in the U.S.
Historically, the path toward mental health care in the Black community is complex and paved with historical injustices and socio-political challenges.
"In our community, men are conditioned to project strength, never show vulnerability, and never admit weakness," said Barry Frazier, a counselor specializing in mental health issues.. This cultural conditioning reinforces stigmas and harmful stereotypes that discourage Black men from expressing their emotions and seeking assistance, he said.
Drawing from his extensive experience, Frazier emphasizes the factors that contribute to mental health struggles. He describes "bad thought loops," and the constant internal conflict between mind, heart and actions that permeate the daily lives of many individuals.
In navigating these challenges, Black men often find themselves dealing with societal expectations, cultural norms and personal beliefs that shape their attitudes toward mental health. The stigma surrounding mental illness, on top of deeply ingrained notions of masculinity and strength, act as a barrier to seeking help and accessing appropriate care, experts say.
More than 60% of African Americans view mental health conditions as a personal weakness, according to studies discussed in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and the National Mental Health Association, reflecting the influence of stigma and misinformation within the community.
Frazier says a distrust of mental health professionals among Black men, leads many to turn to the church for guidance. While spirituality can provide valuable support, Frazier stresses the importance of addressing mental health issues through a professional approach.
The church serves as more than just a place of worship; it is a cornerstone of strength. It offers spiritual guidance and a sense of belonging and community. Black men usually find a safe space there to express themselves and seek counsel without fear of judgment within the church. Pastors and other leaders are often seen as trusted figures making it easier for individuals to open up about their mental health struggles.
However, even though spirituality and religious practices can offer valuable support, counselors say it's imperative to recognize that they should add to, not replace, professional therapy. While prayer and spiritual guidance can provide comfort, they don’t always address underlying mental health issues effectively.
Frazier emphasizes the importance of acknowledging the role of the church in providing support for Black men while also advocating for professional mental health care. By integrating spiritual and professional approaches, individuals can receive comprehensive support that addresses their emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs.
The reliance on church and religion within the Black community as the main sources of support is deeply rooted in historical and cultural contexts. For generations, the church has served as a refuge for Black people and their families. Within this context, the church plays a central role in shaping attitudes and perceptions about mental health. Religious teachings usually emphasize the power of prayer, faith, and spiritual guidance to overcome personal struggles. As a result, prayer and spiritual practices are taught to be the primary solution for their mental health challenges.
When asked how he perceives the role of the church in addressing mental health issues within the Black community, Bishop George Seymour of Memphis, Tennessee, said, “Brother, mental health ain't something we can brush under the rug no more.” Bishop Seymour, who is affiliated with the Shekinah Glory Ministry that “the church has got to step up and be real about it. We got to create a space where folks feel safe to talk about what they're going through without feeling judged. And we have to educate ourselves so we can offer real support, not just prayers.”
Many men in his congregation face depression and anxiety, and to destigmatize seeking help for mental health within the congregation, Bishop Seymour emphasizes approaching discussions with love, compassion and openness. He acknowledges the importance of mental health and shares personal experiences to normalize the conversation.
Unlike some spiritual leaders, Seymour actively invites individuals to share their stories and educates them about available resources. He presses the importance of creating a culture of acceptance and support, emphasizing that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. While it may take time, his goal is to foster a community where individuals feel safe to ask for support.
“Of course we got prayer, and we believe in the power of prayer to lift folks up and give them strength during tough times. We pray for healing, for comfort, and for guidance,” Seymour said. “But it ain't just about what we do inside the church walls. We also connect folks with resources in the community, whether it's therapists, support groups or other services that can help. We want to make sure folks get the support they need, however they need it.”
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When an athlete struggles with mental health, keeping his struggles private is harder than ever with the rise of social media.
For Braden Appelhans, who plays basketball at the University of New Mexico, 5.4 million people found out about it.
But this was his choice. And because of social media, his support grew to overwhelming numbers.
On Feb. 28, 2024, Braden used his platform to his advantage, as he took the story of his mental health crisis to X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. His goal was to help people who may be dealing with similar problems.
“It’s been way more than I expected,” Braden said. “I didn’t expect to get millions of views on my Twitter post, all these DMs [direct messages] I’ve been getting are great,” Braden said. “They’ve all just been saying that they needed this, this helped me or helped their kid get through stuff, so it’s been great.
Just as ADD and anxiety were a part of Braden growing up, basketball was as well. After a stellar Ohio high school career, Braden took his basketball career to the University of New Mexico.
But a new obstacle, depression, presented itself to Braden after a thumb injury forced him to medically redshirt, or sit out, for his freshman season.
“It was rough, I’m going to be honest,” Braden said. “I really didn’t want to do much. I really couldn’t do much because my hand was all casted up. I just wanted to go home and lay down the whole day. I didn’t want to talk to anyone. I just wanted to be by myself, really.”
Braden began to see a sports psychologist at New Mexico, and Dana would always keep in touch with Braden and his doctors. Braden also went to his coaches to explain what he’s going through, which at first he was nervous about. But after telling them, he realized there was no reason to be nervous.
When Braden realized his family, coaches, teammates, and team’s support staff were all behind him, he knew he had the support to get better. And thanks to his support, Braden is now feeling much improvement.
“I’m a lot better,” Braden said. “There’s still some lapses every now and then that I go through where I’m just not feeling it. Compared to where I was in September and January, I’m just a whole different person.”
But just as Dana was Braden’s rock through everything, she thought it might be a good idea that he share his story to help others.
“I kind of brought it up a bit. ‘I said, Braden there’s a lot of kids dealing with what you’re dealing with, back here in Kansas City. I said, I think it would be really great if you put something out there telling people your story and that you’re not alone’,” Dana said. “And he’s playing his video game, ‘Whatever Mom, sure Mom, just write down what you think I should say.’ And I wrote ideas and he took it and just ran with it.’”
What was at one point just an idea became a message that caught the attention of millions of people. Along with the overwhelming support Braden received, Dana did as well.
“They think I’m some sort of hero, and I’m just like, ‘I’m just a mom who loves her kid,’” Dana said. “You do what you need to do for your kid. I did nothing heroic at all. I don’t think there’s a mom in the world that wouldn’t have done what I did.”
For Braden, other people knowing his struggles, whether it was just his mom or millions of people, was the guiding light that led him out of dark times.
For anyone in his shoes, especially athletes, Braden encourages them to go about it in the same way. Because for him, the support he had meant everything.
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LGBTQ men deal with mental health struggles on a daily basis, and the way they cope with these issues can vary from intense physical exercise to arts and crafts.
Speaking about the LGBTQ experience is difficult for many. Wanting to speak on his experience as a bisexual man, this LSU student chose anonymity for safety reasons and decided to be referred to as Quinn which is not his real name.
Physical and verbal bullying started as early as eight years old for Quinn. When his dad found out about the bullying, he signed Quinn up for football and baseball to make him more masculine, Quinn said. Throughout the years, Quinn tried just about every sport because of his father’s orders.
Constantly exerting his emotions through physical exercise has stuck with him. Nowadays, Quinn spends his free time in the gym practicing mixed martial arts, not to fend off bullies, but to fend off negative thoughts.
The day the bullying started, he went home and asked his dad what a faggot was. His dad quickly brushed the subject off, saying it was a bad word and to not repeat it.
“The kids were like calling me gay, calling me a faggot,” Quinn said. “When we were out of sight of the adults, they would do physical stuff. Shove me around or whatever.”
In his junior year of his Catholic, all-boys high school, Quinn came out to his family and close friends. Met with mixed approval and disapproval, Quinn said he’s had to work through the mental stress with cognitive therapy, which is another way he copes with negative emotions. Sometimes he gets swamped with work and forgets to go, he said.
“I’m definitely happier than I was as a kid,” Quinn said. “I have a lot more freedom, a lot less self-consciousness about the way other people think of me.”
Quinn wishes gender expression and sexuality weren’t such significant issues nowadays. He believes people should be able to express themselves as they like without fear of backlash. He said he’s still very selective with who comes out to.
“I don’t reveal it to just anybody,” Quinn said. “Even still.”
Like Quinn, LSU student Garrett McEntee, enjoys physical exercise as a coping mechanism but through running. He also enjoys arts and crafts such as cross-stitching. Being able to create something tangible from his own mind is rewarding, he said.
McEntee grew up in Benton, Louisiana, a small town near the state’s northwestern border. Being gay in a Southern, conservative town is troublesome for many. For McEntee, he’s thankful for leaving largely unscathed by homophobia, yet finding a community of LGBTQ friends has proven difficult.
Speaking about his life before college, McEntee said high school felt like it was working out at first. The popular girls took him under their wing and protected him from bullies, and he was even a homecoming escort. After freshman year, the homophobic comments stopped.
“Being in this, like, kind of, I don't want to say elevated pedestal, but in this, like, more protected circle of, like, women who are strong-willed and were, like, willing to be like, ‘You're a dumb bitch. Don't talk to him that way. His name is not faggot. It's Garrett,’” McEntee said, mimicking the high-pitched voices of his high school friends.
McEntee said he would see all the other gay students get bullied for not fitting in because they weren’t friends with the popular crowd.
“I would walk around, and I would literally hear people be like, ‘Yeah, well, that one's weird. But like Garrett, he's fine.’”
Yet the excitement of being in the popular group slowly ended when McEntee realized that none of his friends could relate to his experiences. While he befriended a couple of other members in the LGBTQ community upon arriving at LSU, he believes socializing can still be difficult.
McEntee said he has trouble interacting with straight, cisgender, masculine men because he feels it is difficult to connect.
“I do think it's pretty obvious that a lot of men, you know, intimidated or weirded out by, like, an openly non-heteronormative, like, gay personality—I think it can be jarring to them,” McEntee said.
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Understanding: Women Show Up For Men
by Jariel Christopher
Some couples wind down for the night by getting into bed and talking about their day. Gianni Stevenson, 20, ends her night with her boyfriend by relaxing and checking in on one another’s mental health.
“You always need to check in with your partner even if they say they are OK, always reassure them that you are there and you all are in this together,” said Stevenson.
Stevenson and her partner make sure to update one another on their mental health to make sure they are in a good headspace in their relationship and within themselves, she said.
“I notice that he’s a very positive person, whatever he goes through in life can’t bring him down because he already has been through a hurting stage so he’s numb to any pain now, “ said Stevenson. “He always tries to remain positive through anything he’s currently facing.”
Stevenson prays that the strength that they hold within their relationship is also within themselves, she said.
“Our relationship is very open with each other,” said Stevenson. “We always reassure each other and make sure that we know what mental state each other is in so he isn’t depressed or anything. He is happy and at peace with life.”
Some women support their male loved ones by letting them know that it’s OK to be vulnerable. Men are expected to be tough all the time, said Kasey, 23, a medical assistant at Our Lady of the Lake Baton Rouge.
“Me and my bestfriend don’t really talk about his mental health, I think, solely because he is a man that figures he doesn’t want to feel weakness by being vulnerable,” said Kasey who declined to give her full name.
Women know society's expectations of men and respect it, but want them to know that it’s an old expectation that is not completely acceptable today and that is changing slowly.
“It’s OK to be a vulnerable male and it’s OK to talk about your mental health,” Kasey exclaimed. “Just because you are a man doesn’t mean you have to be tough all the time. We’re still humans!”
Some men accept help from loved ones while others get through mental health issues on their own. Men don’t necessarily need loved ones to walk them through the steps to healing but rather walk alongside them instead.
“I honestly just don’t let things worry me that I can not control,” said Antonio Dillon, 25.
Dillon is a manager at Brad’s Toys, a store at the Mall of Louisiana. He also does Twitch and YouTtube streaming. He finds an outlet and a way to express himself through what he does, he said.
“I look to myself for mental health help because that’s how I’ve always dealt with it,” said Dillon.
He believes there isn’t always space to express one’s self but he always finds the space to do so no matter who he’s with or where he is, he said. Dillon has been married to his wife for six months. She has been in support of his mental health by tending to whatever he needs her to do for him during his tough mental health days, said Dillon.
“I can talk to my wife and anyone in my circle about anything going on in my life,” he said.
Dillon has learned to keep his mental health stable by thinking through situations, feeling all of his emotions in the moment and communicating with loved ones, he said.
“I feel like no matter what sometimes we have to accept things for what they are and be positive,” said Dillon, “that’s how I look at life. Control what you can control.”
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