For decades, there has been a massive amount of shame and stigma surrounding mental health and minorities. Even with increased resources and treatment options, many minorities and people of color see confronting mental health concerns as somehow admitting to weakness or inadequacy.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 1 in 5 people experience a mental health condition.
Amid today’s societal pressures, workplace stresses, and racial tension, protecting and improving mental health — especially for minorities — has never been more imperative.
While you may be unsure of how to do your part, I’m offering three ways to be proactive in reducing the stigma surrounding minority mental health.
Be Open — In order to dispel the myths and shame surrounding mental health and people of color, you must first be open to doing so. Be open to learning as much as you can about positive habits, contributing factors, and environmental factors that can affect the mental health of you and your loved ones. Also be open to the idea of seeking help and counsel from a licensed professional who can assist or facilitate care and treatment options.
Be honest — Even if you’re not proud of family history of mental illness or of your current mental state, being honest about these things can make all the difference when it comes to getting the help you or a loved one may need. Part of ending the cycle of untreated or mismanaged mental illness among minorities — especially African Americans — means being honest enough to confront and deal with such issues head on with the proper support.
Get help — Being open to receiving help and being honest about mental health concerns is helpful, but neither is beneficial without actually seeking help. In 2016, there are a number of mental health resources from counselors to life coaches to support groups that can help with the treatment of anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and many other mental health issues. For more information on these, check out the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ resources site here.
As the late author and mental health advocate Bebe Moore Campbell once said, “It’s not shameful to have a mental illness. Get treatment. Recovery is possible.”
July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. Established in 2008 to start changing how we look at mental health among people of color, the month is dedicated to focusing on treatment, education, and open conversations about mental wellness. How do you take part in National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month?