Meet Brandon J. Johnson, MHS, MCHES, Public Health Advisor for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Creator for The Black Mental Wellness Lounge

"I work in the Suicide Prevention Branch at SAMHSA and I serve as the agency's subject matter expert on suicide prevention in the Black community. I work internally and externally to create awareness on preventing suicidal ideation and attempts among Black youth. The field of suicide prevention has largely dismissed suicide as an issue in our community. My job is to change that and to connect with others in space who have worked to research this problem. 

I created The Black Mental Wellness Lounge YouTube channel to provide our community with conversations, experts, and resources focused on the mental health needs of the Black community. 

All of the work I do is connected to the idea that I want my people to have safe spaces that can speak to their experiences and provide avenues for healing."

Next up in our Breaking Barriers series is amplifying trailblazers in #behavioralhealth who have worked to expand access to mental health and substance use services through #innovation, #advocacy and/or new #technology.