Mental health conditions do not discriminate based on race, color, gender or identity. Anyone can experience the challenges of mental illness regardless of their background. However, background and identity can make access to mental health treatment much more difficult. National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month was established in 2008 to start changing this.
Each year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental health condition.
Taking on the challenges of mental health conditions, health coverage and the stigma of mental illness requires all of us. In many communities, these problems are increased by less access to care, cultural stigma and lower quality care.
Last Monday, on the Anomalous Black Women Podcast, we discussed Mental Health. It's been proven that minorities, particularly in the black community, shy away from therapy. Somewhere somehow we've had a relative to tell us to pray or push through. When in reality, we're at our breaking point.
I wonder if some of the anger we feel can be attributed to trauma that we have yet to acknowledge. In my opinion, a lot of the violence in our communities can be attributed to PTSD.
Living in the neighborhoods that were created for us (projects) is hard. You see everything. Even if you don't live in the projects, some of our neighborhoods are riddled poverty, violence and passed down trauma.
Considering what I've said above, Minority Mental Health Awareness Month is much needed. I hope that it can catch some steam and be talked about more in all our communities whether it's the projects or the suburbs.
If you're reading this, it's okay to seek therapy. We need someone that's impartial to help us see things we've failed to acknowledge. It's okay if you need meds. Most mental health issues are due to a chemical imbalance. It's possible those meds could be the thing you need to have a more positive outlook on life.
If you want to hear more about my journey with mental health, check out the Anomalous Black Women Podcast. You can find it on all your fave Podcast platforms, as well as, YouTube.
So what do you guys think? What have you always wanted to do? Are you living or existing? Was this helpful? Drop your personal experiences in the comments!
To your happiness and success!!
Until Next Time! Stay Beautiful!
1 Comments
Politics, sex (including gender, gender identity, and orientation), and religion were once among the at least three topics that were deemed improper to discuss, at least in public. These conversational limitations are becoming less and less common in today's developing culture as all three arms of the U.S. government work to effectively address such matters publicly on a regular basis. However, it appears that at least one subject, namely mental health and sickness, is still taboo now, just as it was previously.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading!