As mental health counselor Michael D. Brown sat in his office inside the San Diego City College Student Health Center, he recalled what brought him to psychology.

“I think sophomore year, I lost two close friends to mental health-related reasons,” Brown said. “One was from addiction, one was from dying by suicide, and that kind of woke me up to just the importance of mental health. All those things combined directed me towards studying psychology. And then I got a job as a peer mentor, where I was working for EOP as a peer counselor.”

Brown is a mental health counselor at City College with whom students can schedule appointments to talk about what’s bothering them on and off campus.

“I’ve enjoyed giving back in different ways and being a supportive person for people,” Brown said. “That was really rewarding.”

Brown, who was born in Sacramento, grew up playing basketball and baseball, where his dad coached both sports. His sister was a softball player and played at the college level.

He went to Chico State University, where his career transitioned into psychology. 

Brown now leads a monthly discussion with male students in the Fresh Cutz Barbershop, creating a safe space for them to talk about anything affecting them mentally or physically.

“It was really dope to see men facilitate and cultivate a space where men could be open and vulnerable, share their stories and hear other people’s stories,” Brown said. “It was really powerful to be able to see, witness and facilitate that.”

Adjunct counselor Kibrom Gebregziabher reflected the same sentiment about participating in these open discussions.

 “I enjoy this kind of open dialogue, the space it provides, especially for the people that come in,” Gebregziabher said. “I think it opened my eyes to the number of people who are open and wanting to be in this type of community, this type of setting.”

This is Gebregziabher’s first semester as an adjunct counselor, and he is enjoying seeing the possibilities to bring safe spaces to students.

“This program, or this event, is a trailblazer, a pioneer of what’s to come,” Gebregziabher said. “Not just at the junior college level, but at the four-year level and so on. I think this provides an opportunity for a lot of people who wouldn’t entertain the thought of mental health. To be able to see it firsthand and see how it could be, how practical it is.”

Gebregziabher praised Brown’s creativity for the unique ways he brings mental health to students.

“Michael has shown me a way to be graceful with people who have conflicting thoughts, but also manage a group,” Gebregziabher said. “I’ve done a few group sessions and things of that nature, but as far as introducing it into the barber shop setting, I didn’t think of it too much of how that could be done. But he showed me a way of how that could be structured, how you could introduce that and kind of lead by example, and pose very thought-provoking questions.”

Brown’s parents didn’t attend college but still encouraged him to pursue higher education.

He also attributes his passion for music at a young age to his father, who loved hip-hop music.

“Growing up, he’d often call me into the room and put on a song,” Brown said. “Then we look at the lyrics together and dissect them. He’d give me the historical background, like what the song meant.”

Some of his favorite artists are Londrelle, J. Cole and Rexx Life Raj. Brown enjoys songs with stories in them, such as “Reappear” from Rexx Life Raj’s album, “The Blue Hour.” 

It seemed a natural fit for Brown to combine music side and counseling to help connect with his patients through their favorite songs and artists. 

“Because in school, we’re taught a very sterile kind of way to do therapy,” Brown said. “But bringing in culture into the session and bringing in people’s interests, especially in the form of music. Bringing in things that people are naturally really invested in, that they can connect to their healing journey too, on how to grow.”

To talk to Brown and other mental health counselors, you can click the link to make an appointment.

If you’re interested in participating in the Barber Shop Talks, the last discussion will be on May 19, from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in room T-154.

Edited Jordan Bell