When Ihsan Hines lost his brother, Atif, to suicide in August 2007, the grief left an enduring mark. More than a decade later, the pain and other personal struggles nearly drove him to the same fate.

“I was overwhelmed by trauma, romantic losses, financial setbacks,” Hines recalled. “On Oct. 16, 2018, I had a plan to take my life, but I reached out, sent a smoke signal to friends, and was surrounded by support.”

With help from loved ones and guidance from a University of Pennsylvania psychiatrist, Hines connected with a therapist. “That therapy changed my life,” he said. “I was able to consistently talk to somebody about trauma and decisions.”

This turning point inspired Hines to create My Brother’s Keeper Cares (MBK Cares) in 2020. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit promotes mental health awareness, suicide prevention, and community support, particularly among Black men, who face rising suicide rates despite national declines.

Story Highlights

• Founder: Ihsan Hines launched MBK Cares after surviving his own mental health crisis.

• Mission: Promote mental health awareness, normalize conversations, and prevent suicide.

• Challenges: Black men face systemic racism, economic barriers, and limited access to resources.

• Programs: Youth mentorship through chess, golf, art, and journaling to build emotional resilience.

• Partnerships: Collaborates with Black Men Heal and Penn’s INSPIRE Center on research and community outreach.

• Upcoming Event: Discovering Mental Wealth on Sept. 13 at The Discovery Center, Fairmount Park.

Normalizing Mental Health Conversations

Hines believes transparency is key. “When leaders admit their wounds, others feel safe to share theirs,” he said. “Our wounds don’t define us; they’re part of us.”

Research shows that suicide rates among Black men and boys have increased over recent decades. Hines says systemic racism and economic inequities intensify mental health struggles. “Even something as simple as driving with a police car behind you can cause anxiety,” he noted.

Connecting Communities to Resources

MBK Cares partners with Black Men Heal, which offers free therapy for men of color, and collaborates with researchers at the University of Pennsylvania to identify gaps in suicide prevention. One survey revealed consistent community concerns about firearm safety and youth access, leading to proposals for statewide grants to address these issues.

Hines acknowledges some distrust toward academic institutions due to historical racism but emphasizes MBK Cares’ advocacy role. “We don’t compromise. We ensure research benefits the community,” he said.

Youth Mentorship Through Creativity

MBK Cares runs summer programs for teens aged 13-19, using chess, golf, art, and journaling to teach emotional regulation. Participants keep daily journals with prompts like “How are you?” and express themselves through painting, photography, and poetry.

“If you normalize talking about feelings early, it becomes easier as an adult,” Hines explained. This year, about 30 youth joined the program, learning skills that improve mental health and relationships.

For 14-year-old Salahudeen Salam, journaling and lessons on resilience made an impact. “It helped me deal with disappointment, talk to people, and be creative,” he said.

Discovering Mental Wealth

MBK Cares will host its fourth annual Discovering Mental Wealth event on Sept. 13 at The Discovery Center in Fairmount Park. The free family-friendly conference will feature mental health panels, community leaders, and artistic performances.

On Sept. 14, MBK Cares and Black Men Heal will lead a community bike ride through historic Fairmount Park, supported by Indego Bike Share.

“These programs show people what’s possible,” Hines said. “We want them to be self-sufficient, not dependent on us.”

For more information or to get involved, visit MBK Cares’ official website.

Ihsan Hines’ journey from personal tragedy to advocacy underscores the urgent need to address mental health and suicide prevention in underserved communities. Through MBK Cares, he is breaking the stigma, building trust, and creating programs that empower individuals—especially Black men and youth—to seek help and share their stories. By normalizing mental health conversations and fostering emotional resilience, Hines is turning pain into purpose, proving that healing and hope are possible for every community.

Appreciating your time:

We appreciate you taking the time to read our most recent article! We appreciate your opinions and would be delighted to hear them. We value your opinions as we work hard to make improvements and deliver material that you find interesting.

Post a Comment:

In the space provided for comments below, please share your ideas, opinions, and suggestions. We can better understand your interests thanks to your input, which also guarantees that the material we offer will appeal to you. Get in Direct Contact with Us: Please use our “Contact Us” form if you would like to speak with us or if you have any special questions. We are open to questions, collaborations, and, of course, criticism. To fill out our contact form, click this link.

Stay Connected:

Don’t miss out on future updates and articles.