Breaking the Silence: Why Men Struggle to Talk About Mental Health
The Office of Faculty Wellness and Engagement invites the entire UT Southwestern community to join us for Men’s Mental Health Awareness 2026, taking place June 4, 2026, from 12:00 p.m.-1:15p.m.
This powerful panel brings together experts across psychology, psychiatry, nursing, and faith leadership to explore why many men struggle to openly discuss mental health. Through honest dialogue and diverse perspectives, panelists will unpack cultural expectations, stigma, and emotional barriers that often silence men. Attendees will gain insight into how to foster vulnerability, support healing, and create meaningful connections – both personally and within their communities.
Panelist 1: Michael Selders, Ph.D., Psychologist
Michael Selders, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at UT Southwestern Medical Center. He specializes in culturally responsive cognitive behavior therapy; psychological and personality testing, assessment, and evaluation; and multicultural counseling competencies in psychology.
Dr. Selders earned his doctoral degree in counseling psychology at Loyola University Chicago. He completed postdoctoral training in counseling psychology at the University of Illinois at Chicago Counseling Center and in psychology at the VA North Texas Health Care System.
He also earned a master’s degree in mental health counseling and behavioral studies with a concentration in marriage and family therapy at Southern University and A&M College in Louisiana.
Dr. Selders currently serves as Chief of Psychology at Parkland Memorial Hospital. He is a member of the American Psychological Association, the Association of Black Psychologists, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness. He also serves on several committees, including as Co-Chair of UT Southwestern’s Anti-Racism Advocacy Committee, and on Parkland’s Behavioral Health Leadership Team.
He has delivered national and regional invited lectures and published original research articles related to his areas of expertise. When he’s not at work, Dr. Selders enjoys gardening, reading, traveling, exercising, and cycling.
Panelist 2: Joseph Guillory, M.D., Psychiatrist
Dr. Joseph Guillory is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at UT Southwestern Medical Center and a clinician-scholar whose work focuses on advancing mental health through community-engaged care, education, and research. Raised in Southwest Louisiana, his early exposure to health disparities shaped his long-standing commitment to improving access and outcomes for underserved communities. He earned his undergraduate degree from Baylor University and his medical degree from McGovern Medical School, followed by adult and child/adolescent psychiatry training at UT Southwestern.
Currently, Dr. Guillory provides clinical care in a Transitional Age Youth and Young Adult Psychiatry Clinic spanning Parkland Health and Children’s Health, bridging pediatric and adult systems of care. His academic work centers on culturally responsive, community-based and peer-led interventions, particularly for adolescents and young adults experiencing suicidality and emotional distress. He is the principal investigator on multiple studies examining stigma reduction and help-seeking. Dr. Guillory has received national recognition from NAMI and the American College of Psychiatrists and remains deeply engaged in community partnership and mentorship.
Panelist 3: Reverend Dr. Mittie C. Muse Jr.
Reverend Dr. Mittie C. Muse Jr. is a pastor, teacher, and leader who is deeply committed to addressing the spiritual, emotional, and mental well-being of men. A third-generation preacher, rooted in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, he brings both theological depth and pastoral sensitivity to conversations around faith and mental health.
Dr. Muse holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Stephen F. Austin State University, a Master of Divinity from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University, and a Doctor of Ministry from Payne Theological Seminary. He has served the AME Church at multiple levels, including on connectional committees such as the Strategic Planning Committee and the Episcopal Committee.
As pastor of Smith Chapel A.M.E. Church in Dallas, Texas, Dr. Muse is concerned with how men navigate pressure, expectations, and the often-unspoken weight they carry. He hopes to help the men he serves to break the silence surrounding mental health by creating space for honest conversations, grounded in faith, accountability, and practical support. He is married to DeMetruss Muse and is the proud father of four children.
Moderator: Darwin Wade, M.B.A., M.P.A., CPM, Wade and Wade Consulting LLC, Principal Consultant
Darwin Wade is a nationally credentialed trainer, facilitator, and community development leader whose work has always centered on people, resilience, and community. With more than 20 years of experience serving communities through housing initiatives, public service, and faith leadership, he understands the realities many men face when carrying the weight of responsibility while quietly navigating personal struggles. As Minister of Music at Smith Chapel AME Church in Dallas, Darwin brings a compassionate and authentic perspective to conversations about strength, vulnerability, faith, and healing – creating space for honesty rather than silence.