What is the YBMen Project?
The YBMen Project was created to better understand and address the pressures and needs of young black men, particularly surrounding issues related to their mental health, manhood, and social support. The YBMen Project uses the popular social media platform, Facebook, to provide mental health education and social support to young black men who may be uncomfortable discussing sensitive issues face-to-face.
Network Members
How does it work?
YBMen participants join a private Facebook group where our research team posts information and prompts from popular culture (e.g., YouTube videos, photos, lyrics, and news headlines) that is gender- and culturally-relevant to young black men. We then facilitate daily discussions and online support in which young black men communicate with each other through the Facebook group.​
Is It Effective
In the first phase of The YBMen Project, depression symptoms decreased for men who participated in the Facebook group but not for those in the comparison group. Eighty-eight percent (88%) of participants viewed the YBMen Facebook group on a weekly basis.
What do you plan to do next?
We are tailoring The YBMen Project for different groups of young black men and for the different health issues they may face.