The 100 Black Men of Rome-Northwest Georgia are taking a proactive step towards fostering mental and emotional wellness among men by hosting a free film screening and panel discussion titled “Triumph over Trauma” on Tuesday, October 28. The event, held at the DeSoto Theatre, 530 Broad St., from 6-9 p.m., aims to ignite crucial conversations about the often-unaddressed impact of trauma on men’s lives.

Karl Gyden, Health and Wellness Chair for the organization, emphasized the event’s core mission: encouraging men to confront their feelings and past experiences.

“We have to start having the conversations with ourselves, ‘How do we feel?’,” Gyden stated. “Not just about situations that happen in an instant, but how do we feel about where we are in our lives and how can we actually have the personal conversations with ourselves, with our spouses, with our loved ones so that we can become a more whole individual.”

The evening will begin with a screening of the critically acclaimed film “Antwone Fisher.” This powerful drama was specifically chosen for its overarching theme of trauma and resilience, offering a relatable and relevant narrative for attendees.

“With October being men’s mental health month, what greater event would there be than to show ‘Antwone Fisher,’ where you’re actually talking about an individual who basically, throughout the whole movie, shows the trauma he went through and how he was able to get into a different environment and was able to overcome a lot of trauma,” Gyden explained. “It actually shows, in my opinion, a really good depiction, a real-life depiction, of how one can overcome trauma in their life, especially from a male point of view.”

Following the film, a panel discussion will delve deeper into the themes presented, focusing on breaking the stigma surrounding men’s mental health, sharing personal stories, and initiating honest conversations. Gyden underscored the importance of addressing unresolved issues, noting that carrying emotional baggage can hinder personal and professional relationships.

“You can’t go into any relationship with any person carrying so much baggage. You can’t really be functional or successful in that relationship, whether it be personal or professional. You have to be a whole person,” he remarked.

While hosted by the 100 Black Men of Rome-Northwest Georgia, the event is explicitly designed to be inclusive and beneficial for all men, regardless of background.

“The event is not just for African Americans,” Gyden clarified. “It’s really just for all men. When you look at what’s going on today — not just in America — but overall, a lot of it stems from unresolved trauma and the things that we have not taken the time or energy or the effort to actually deal with. When we get hurt, it doesn’t just hurt us. It hurts everybody that’s connected to us in that particular situation.”

The organization hopes that “Triumph over Trauma” will be more than a one-night event, serving as a catalyst for ongoing discussions within the community.

“We’re planning that this conversation and this movie will help spark conversation,” Gyden said. “We’re expecting really robust conversation, not just from the panel, but after that’s done, let’s continue with conversation within our community. We are carrying this conversation forward to our homes, our businesses, our places of worship and even our friends and families, where we’re having conversations that are about sparking a change in our community.”

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, please visit 100bmornwga.org.