Watch Kofi Siriboe’s Powerful Film ‘Jump’ Attacking Mental Health in the Black Community

The talented actor is releasing a film that discusses mental health in the Black community.

The Queen Sugar actor is taking on the state of mental health in the Black community in his new short film, Jump. Many people in marginalized communities battle with mental health issues every day but do not seek help because of the negative stigma in their communities. Many people isolate themselves in fear of being judged by their peers. They categorize anxiety or depression as being “crazy,” or turn to prayer in hopes that the depression or anxiety will go away.

According to Mental Health America, communities of color also experience a harder time in accessing mental health service. In 2014, 16% of Black people in the United States reported that they experienced a mental health illness. Racism plays a big factor in the mental well-being of Black Americans every day.

Kofi Siriboe is releasing Jump through his production company, ViaKofi. Jump will be released as a two-part series.

 

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as a kid, i always believed my mom thought i was passive because i didn’t seem passionate about anything—i suppose, years later, she still may think i’m passive—perhaps, true. as a shy kid, i spent most days scavenging my mind for a justified substitute to reality. i found peace in a place where i could be nothing; or anything. in retrospect, i realized, i never came to terms with the concept of having to be somebody—having to do something in this world—i didn’t realize i lived in a society where race and gender was integrated into identity the way career and success was. i didn’t realize i lived in America. “you can’t really see this country until you leave this country.” some days are blissful and some days nothing seems sufficient; not even God, Himself. i dream of alternate universes where people actually love each other; universes where we love ourselves. in today’s world, our understanding of mental health is vital as a species. therapy should be free for students and gang members and broken families and everybody. schools should establish the realities of being born into a society designed to disconnect us from our simple, so very, delicate, truths; particularly, us, Black people. it’s critical that our elders share archetypes and resources assisting younger generations, galvanized, navigating the vast and temporal terrains of the information age. i suppose in a world that perpetuates hate, we take the initiative to, unapologetically, put love on a pedestal. jump is a safe space i’d like to share with anybody who knows what it feels like to feel anything; or everything. this space wouldn’t be possible without my generous cast & crew; thank you—thank you all for loving me with such open hearts, always; your endless support is thoroughly endeared. iiight, nuff w/ the sappy shit. click that link in my bio to WATCH! JUMP! NOW! [vk] k.s.🕊

A post shared by Kofi (@kofisiriboe) on Oct 2, 2018 at 5:38pm PDT

The Girl’s Trip actor posted a heartfelt message on his Instagram in hopes that Jump will normalize the talk of mental health in the Black community. The post also covered a reflection on his upbringing where Kofi says, “I didn’t realize I lived in a society where race and gender was integrated into identity the way career and success was. I didn’t realize I lived in America.”

Kofi goes on to explain the importance of mental health in today’s climate.  It starts with understanding what mental health is. He provides a solution that therapy should be free for anyone who needs it like students, gang members, and broken families.

“Schools should establish the realities of being born into a society designed to disconnect us from our simple, so very, delicate, truths; particularly, us, Black people. it’s critical that our elders share archetypes and resources assisting younger generations, galvanized, navigating the vast and temporal terrains of the information age,” the actor expresses.

 

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“I don’t wanna live.. I don’t wanna die.” have you seen #JumpFilm yet? 🕊 [link in bio] -vk-

A post shared by Kofi (@kofisiriboe) on Oct 3, 2018 at 9:22am PDT

The world is thankful to Kofi for this piece of work and his transparency. Sometimes it takes one person to open up a dialogue about an important issue.