Mental Health in the Black Community

BY IMELDA SIMON

Imelda Simon is currently pursuing her nursing degree at Florida State University. She also volunteers as a crisis counselor for the Crisis text line. She loves going to the beach, traveling, and writing blogs on her website imeldasblogworld.com.

For many years, black individuals have been suffering in our world. From slavery to today’s racial injustice, black people must continue to deal with the unfair hardships of reality. As a black person myself, I can honestly state that it is HARD. It is hard trying to be accepted in a society where some people still view blacks as inferior. It is hard being dehumanized because of the color of your skin. It is hard experiencing trauma as a result of systemic racism. It is hard being black. Because of the many challenges that we black people encounter, we are taught to live through these difficulties and not seek help.

Taking care of your mental health is important.

We now live in a society where seeking mental help is normalizing and accepting. However, mental health in the Black community is neglected a lot. It is looked down upon to go to counseling or talk to a therapist.

Why?

Because for many years black individuals have been taught to deal with it or pray about the issue. Some black families do not believe in mental health issues and link these issues as not being spiritually connected with God. Many believe that there’s no “reason” to be depressed when you are alive, sheltered, and healthy, which is why black people are less likely to seek mental help.

What can be done to erase this negative connotation in the Black community on mental illness?

• Increase awareness and emphasis on therapy within the Black community 

• Change attitudes about Mental Health

• Validate one another’s feelings

I was once the person who believed that seeking help was for the weak. I trained myself to be a superwoman while I suffered internally. I then became exhausted from dealing with it alone and gave counseling a try. Since it was all new to me, it was uncomfortable but relieving. It was definitely a step forward in my progress. I realized that there is nothing to be ashamed about, and it is okay to seek help.

The number of black professionals is now increasing in the mental health field to help shed light on the stigma. Seeing this change can help normalize mental health within the black community. Work still needs to be done, but we can all make a difference by changing our own attitudes and beliefs to reduce the negative assumptions. Regardless of race, we must validate everyone’s feelings when they are expressing concerns about their mental health. Validation helps acknowledge, normalize, and accept a person's emotion without judgment. This can encourage an individual to be comfortable in seeking further help from a mental health professional.

Now, let us be the change we want to see so that EVERY race is not afraid to get help when their mental state is at war.