This study examined the health-related quality of life and health-promoting behaviors in a convenience sample of low-income black men. Almost three-fourths reported their overall health as good or better. However, the mean number of recent (that is, past 30 days) mentally unhealthy days was 13.12, and more than half reported frequent (> or =14) mentally unhealthy days. There were strong correlations between mentally unhealthy days and various health-promoting behaviors. The contrast between participants' overall health and mental health is disconcerting. Implications for social work practice with low-income black men to improve health promotion are discussed.