PRAYER WORKS BUT SO DOES COUNSELING: Let’s Normalize Seeking Help for our mental health in THE Black Community SO ANOTHER GENERATION DOESN'T suffer in silence

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OUR GRANDPARENTS MADE US FEEL ASHAMED WE NEEDED HELP BUT HOLY OIL CANNOT FIX EVERYTHING

Let’s talk about this. In all honesty, there are several reasons why there is such a huge stigma associated with mental health, especially in the Black community. Mental health probably was never a topic of conversation for many black families. If the topic did come up, our grandparents would just throw some holy oil on us and pray. They felt that anything out of the normal was demonic. 

​The foundation of mental health among many black people can be traced back to times of slavery. In reading about history, I can't help but imagine many slaves suffered from severe anxiety, depression, as well as other mental illnesses. ​

We need to stop telling each other WE'RE OKAY WHEN WE'RE HURTING INSIDE

This issue of masking mental illness is prevalent in the black community. The majority of us who suffer from mental health struggles in the black community suffer in silence due to stigma.

Speaking from experience, I grew up in a culture that tells us “we are to be strong,” that we “should deal with problems on our own.” This only enforces the idea that it is not okay for us to say we are hurting inside. ​
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I have spoken to countless friends who say “you don’t suffer from mental health illnesses and you should pray.” I do pray, daily. However, I also need to be realistic and understand that I do suffer from mental illnesses. I do need to seek additional help, such as counseling.

Just a few years ago, I took 70 pills and was sent to an inpatient mental health facility for five days. That was definitely a life changing experience, one I need to be feel safe talking about.

"My goal is to tackle the myth that African American women have to be pillars of strength. I do not always want to be STRONG. I AM HUMAN. I have the right to be vulnerable."

​Why aren't African Americans seeking mental healthcare?

Approximately, 25% of African American seek mental health care compared to 40% of whites. Why is this? According to Mental Health America:

• Black and African American people living below poverty are twice as likely to report serious psychological distress than those living over 2x the poverty level.
• Adult Blacks and African Americans are more likely to have feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and worthlessness than adult whites.
• Blacks and African Americans are less likely than white people to die from suicide at all ages. However, Black and African American teenagers are more likely to attempt suicide than White teenagers (9.8 percent v. 6.1 percent).
• Because less than 2 percent of American Psychological Association members are Black or African American, some may worry that mental health care practitioners are not culturally competent enough to treat their specific issues.
• Stigma and judgment prevent Black and African American people from seeking treatment for their mental illnesses. Research indicates that Blacks and African Americans believe that mild depression or anxiety would be considered “crazy” in their social circles. Furthermore, many believe that discussions about mental illness would not be appropriate even among family.

BLACK CELEBRITIES SPEAKING Out ABOUT THEIR MENTAL HEALTH

Luckily, in recent years, more and more black people, including those in the public eye, have opened up about dealing with and overcoming the struggles of mental illnesses. ​During an interview with Essence Magazine in 2018, Janet Jackson, noted that depression and feelings of inadequacy have followed her since childhood.

In 2013, former Destiny's Child member, Michelle Williams, revealed she has been battling depression since she was a teenager. She has since become a mental health advocate and has spoken about her struggles openly on many platforms.

it's okay if you're going through something. it's even better if you seek help.

I believe God-gifted people -- physicians, doctors and therapists -- to assist in our healing. Please go see a professional so that they can assess you.

It's okay if you're going through something. It is even better to seek help.

​You don't need to tough it out.

It's not cute to walk around knowing you need help but won't seek it because of what others may think. Other people's opinions of you are their issue, not yours.

by not opening up about our mental health, we're saying it's okay for ANOTHER generation to GROW UP WITHOUT help.

If we are unable to remove the negative stigma surrounding mental health in the black community, we are willingly allowing another generation to grow up without access to counseling and mental health resources that can help them live a happier and healthier life.

In order to end the stigma of mental health, we need to have candid conversations surrounding mental illness. I do not think many of us are aware that mental health is a physical disease and it affects us in more ways than we think.

People need to be educated. I have had conversations with friends who do not understand why I suffer from mental illness. I'm the one who has to educate them as it's extremely important to do so.

​The black community should not be afraid to have these types of discussions. These conversations should start in the household and be held without judgement.

​Let’s start having conversations first and then we can move on from there.

resources for our community

• Inclusive Therapists 
• Therapy for Black Men 
• Therapy for Black Girls 
• Melanin and Mental Health 

reaching our national hotline

​National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741-741 to reach a Crisis Counselor

Author

Dr. Meagan T. Copelin is an international speaker, author, empowerment coach, blogger, contributing writer and podcaster; and we are honored to have her serve as our Supporting US Chair for Accelerating Mental Wellness, our social change campaign to co-create stigma free workplaces built on a foundation of empathy with needed mental health supports and programs. Meagan is also the Founder of Mental Rich, a mental health company and brand, dedicated to helping young girls and women who suffer from mental illnesses steaming from abuse, abandonment, and rejection. Her calling is to become a trailblazing voice for young girls and women worldwide. Drawing on her own experiences of mental illness due to abuse, rejection, and abandonment, Meagan uses her words to encourage others to build a home within themselves; and, to love, live, and create fearlessly. Her advocacy projects and efforts have helped her to be featured on several platforms for the purpose of empowering women to tell their story from struggle to success and live up to their full potential.