Abstract

African American men face unique mental health challenges due to the pervasive impact of racism, including the chronic stress and psychological toll of racial battle fatigue (RBF). RBF refers to the cumulative effects of exposure to systemic racism, leading to psychological, emotional, and physiological exhaustion. Addressing RBF is critical for improving the mental health and well-being of African American men. Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC), an evidence-based intervention, offers a promising approach for mitigating the effects of RBF. MSC emphasizes mindfulness, self-kindness, and common humanity, providing individuals with tools to cultivate emotional resilience and self-compassion in the face of adversity. However, there is a notable gap in research focused on applying MSC to the deleterious impact of racism on African American men. This article proposes an expanded framework for using MSC to address the specific challenges posed by RBF. The article concludes with practical recommendations for clinicians on how to adapt MSC to better serve African American men exposed to RBF.