In recent times, there's been a push for Black people to embrace and check on their mental health. Yet, in our community, there are still so many stigmas regarding not being 100% mentally fit. Over the years I've seen how mental illness affects those in the Black community. What I can deduce is that those struggling with mental illness are in a vicious, endless, cycle in which they are either diagnosed, medicated, come off of their medications because they do not feel like themselves, and end up in jail or homeless or they are undiagnosed, struggle with their illness, and possibly still end up in jail or homeless.
In my Criminology course, I took last semester, I learned that many people with mental health diseases become a burden to their families and are often allowed by their families to be picked up by the police so that they can get back on their medications in jail. The problem with this is that the people who suffer from mental illnesses have high recidivism rates, meaning they continue to participate in the activities that get them arrested, even if it's loitering.
I always felt for people with mental illnesses, especially the homeless people I used to volunteer with. Even with this, it didn't really hit me until I noticed family members dealing with mental health diseases. In my mind, it's already hard enough being Black in this country. I hate that they now have this "extra" thing to deal with on top of life other woes. I worry because what does a tall Black man already look like to racist police officers? What is a tall, Black, man battling a mental illness, and who is off of his meds to racist police officers?
A huge problem many of us face in the Black community is that we are so secretive when it comes to these matters. We don't want to air our dirty laundry and we don't want people to think there's anything wrong with us or our family members. But isn't that what family is for? To be there for and take care of one another? Though I am a Bible believing Christian and my first line of defense will always be to take my problems to God, that's not always the only option for people. Especially those battling mental diseases, those people may need more help and that is okay. It is okay not to be okay. We don't need to continue bearing this "strong Black man/woman" stereotype. We need to denounce the stigmas that we are weak if we need help. If seeking help can save your life or the life of someone you know and love, then it is necessary.
Please don't be ashamed if you need to seek help. Know that you deserve a good quality of life and that you matter.
