Black Families: Mental Illnesses & Lack of Self-Expression

Mental illnesses are a very important issue. I have noticed (as well as many others have noticed) the lack of empathy/understanding blacks have towards them. I feel as though the lack of self expression in black families also need to be discussed. In many black homes you grow up with fear being the primary source of discipline. You all know that mother/father/aunt/uncle that threatens to beat their child with whatever is closest to them. They'll throw the damn dog if they think it'll hurt you if you act up. It's crazy because "acting up/ thinking you grown" in black families can be the slightest thing a black parent doesn't like. It could be smacking your lips (if you're rebellious), saying nothing, asking too many questions, not standing up straight, crying after being hit, not crying after being hit, etc. I'm not saying black people are abusive by nature, but we often grow up equating respect to violence. Now I will never say ALL black folks are like this, I will never say all people or generalize point blank. I'm only discussing what I've seen with my own eyes and heard about with my own ears.

How do black families deal with mental illnesses? Blacks have different ways of coping than other races. Some understand the signs & symptoms of mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, or ADD/ADHD. When the symptoms are recognized and the side affects are understood than blacks can positively address the situation. Sometimes blacks treat mental illnesses as nonexistent, which is detrimental to the person with the illness, the family, and a potential partner of that person with the illness. I often heard phrases such as "counseling? That's white people shit", "you don't have ADHD you just need to sit down and be quiet", they make jokes about being bipolar or use it as an excuse as to why they're "crazy". If a problem is not addressed (any problem) there will be an ongoing cycle of that issue until someone decides to break the chain and do something different. Black people have mastered the art of turning everything into a joke. I feel as though it's a deeply rooted coping mechanism but this is no laughing matter. Anxiety is a mental illness. Bipolar disorder is a mental illness. Schizophrenia is a mental illness. ADD/ADHD are mental illnesses. Not addressing them will not make them go away.

I am a firm believer in natural healing. I am a firm believer in counseling. I am a firm believer that all these mental illnesses can be addressed/treated and I am a firm believer in accepting something in order to move forward. I don't think medicine helps with mental illnesses I believe it suppresses. I am by no means telling you that we all don't feel the feelings of depression, anxiety, being nervous for no reason, feeling like a failure or any of that. We ALL feel those throughout our life. You know how that feels so imagine feeling like you aren't good enough 25/8. Imagine not being able to calm yourself down everyday for a year over the slightest problem. Imagine looking in the mirror and hating what you see EVERY single time. Imagine not being able to be happy..... mental illnesses are real and as black people you must understand that we feel systematic oppression all the time. Systematic oppression, racial issues, sexist issues, daily taunting.... this is a lot to handle. If you cannot empathize with your child, mother, step-brother, uncle, or niece then who can? Who will? No one! In black communities, if you haven't noticed, we have to help ourselves or no one else will help us. I am here to tell you that your doctor may not help you. They are taught to dope you up with medicine, to suppress as I've told you before. Talk to someone, talk to me, talk to a stranger if your scared you're going to be judged. Just talk.

It is important growing up and being able to express ourselves. It eliminates your child being sneaky, aids them in being healthy and being happy. I am not saying let your child/sibling disrespect you. But ask them how they're feeling, why are they feeling that way, what caused it. Let them become comfortable talking to you so they won't seek help from their peers. It'll stem them to become healthier adults with healthy communication skills!

• Mental Illness Hotline: 855-977-5614

• National Suicide Prevention: 1-800-273-8255

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Helpline: 1-800-662-4357

• Crisis Intervention: 877-235-4525

Feelings are chemicals.... how can you tell me that mental illnesses cannot alter the brain or aren't a real thing?