Mental Health In The Black Community – Let’s Talk About It

When Is The Last Time You Checked On Your Mental Health?

Mental health, a forbidden word in the black community, a word no one wants to admit, but majority of us struggle with it. Especially in today’s climate. African- Americans are 20% more likely to have serious psychological distress than white people. If you think about it, African-Americans have been birthed into oppression since the early 1900’s. For so long all we knew was survival. Older generations hid mental health issues from us thinking that, if they didn’t acknowledge it, it would just go away. Not one wants to admit they have a problem.

But mental health doesn’t go away with out proper healing. It will catch up to you as you get older. You or the people around you might start to notice certain irregular traits which can be underlining mental issues such as; Bi-polar, ADHD, depression, and OCD. Which are all very common.

I want to let you know that it’s OK, if you’re not OK.

The is first step to conquering mental health is by acknowledging it.

Mental health affects everyday life, relationships, and physical health. It’s your cognitive, behavioral, and emotional well-being. It affects how you think, feel, and behave. When someone is stressed you can usually tell by their behavioral change. For some it’s depression. We have all endured some form of it whether it’s stress from work, dysfunction at home, racism, or just by watching the news lately.

When your mental health is stable, it keeps you sane in those times of fear.

But how can you remain sane if you’re not addressing your problems?

I used to be the girl that held all of my stress and anxieties in, thinking that I was to misunderstood to be understood. Which in return caused me to become very anxious, so anxious I would make myself sick. It triggered my depression as well. Depression has no face, I was depressed for about a year before I was even questioned about it. Funny thing is, I didn’t even know I was depressed, I just settled with unhappiness hoping the next day would be different.

I had to look myself in the mirror and really ask myself, what’s wrong?

I personally never went to a therapist because I felt my stressors weren’t that serious, but they actually were. I needed to talk to someone. That’s the key in healing your mental health – sometimes you just need an outside source to give you a different perspective. We all get in our heads from time to time, but a mental health issue can cause you to stay in that dark space. This is why I always thank God for my friends, my circle of trust. They became my voice of reason when I finally let my guards down for them.

I had to acknowledge that, I’m not OK, and I no longer wanted to go through it alone.

I’ve learned that with healing mental health comes vulnerability, which I understand can be hard to do with friends or family. But if you can, I urge that you let those guards down. Allow them to listen and receive the message you’re trying to tell them. We need each other – especially right now. Every day it seems like there’s a death due to police brutality or a fatality from a hate crime. Now racism is at an all-time high and more people are vocal about their white supremacy. Not realizing that they are traumatizing the black community! Now we not only have to be extremely cautious around the police, but now we have racist terrorizing us around the world just because we are Black.

For the people who cannot be vulnerable with their family or friends can seek a therapist. Sometimes you need to talk to someone who doesn’t know the real you yet, and that’s OK. Two of my closest friends see therapists that have helped change their lives. One of them gives us therapy sessions from what she learned from her therapist. Even though they know that they can always come to me – some things just need to stay in private.

We shouldn’t be afraid to seek help or therapy. Having a session won’t hurt you, it just might make you stronger.

When checking in on your mental health:

Take mental breaks. Whether it’s for an hour or a few days, take a break. Overworking yourself while dealing with the issues in today’s society will take a toll on you emotionally and physically. Listen to yourself, and give your body what it needs. Maybe it needs you to use a PTO day, f*ck it.

Make sure you have someone to talk to who can help you rationalize whatever is on your mind. Battling your mind alone can be a dangerous game that you don’t have to endure alone.

Do whatever makes YOU happy. It can be from taking a nap, to going on a shopping spree. Just do it, your happiness should always come first.

Speak up. Let your friends and family know that you’re not OK. You’ll never know who can help unless you ask.

Now if you’re interested in seeking a professional Black therapist, don’t worry I got you:

Borislhenson Foundation: *free* virtual therapy sessions for a limited of time

Therapy For Black Men: caters to black men

Therapy For Black Women: caters to black women

Black Female Therapist: promote, inspire, and elevate other black female therapists and create a safe space for black mental health.

Inclusive Therapist: centers the needs of marginalized populations, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, the LGBTQ+ community, and people with disabilities.

Aakoma Project: *free* virtual sessions for young adults

Don’t be ashamed. With everything going on in the world right now, we will ALL need therapy sooner or later.

xox Black Daria