The level of stigma and shame about accessing mental health services by women of color is
amazingly high, even in this day and age. I am an African American woman, and the owner of Laverne Williams Enterprise, LLC, a consulting firm which provides individually- designed health and educational presentations with a Christian flair to various organizations throughout the US.
As a Social Worker and Deacon, I have made it my mission to raise awareness in communities of color about the synergistic relationship between emotional and spiritual wellness, and to breaking down the barriers many of us have regarding seeking mental health treatment.
As an educator and community leader, I constantly hear people in my community say things like:
Black folks don’t commit suicide – that’s a white man’s disease
I don't need to talk to a psychiatrist, I can just talk to Jesus
All I need to do is to pray and fast to get my mind focused on the right track again
I'm just going through some hard times.
As African American females, we also have a large tendency to talk to “our girl” when we have challenges. I am all for having someone to bounce our feelings off of, but you need to recognize when your “girl” needs help herself! After all, how many times have you heard, “Girl, none of our family members had to go to a psychiatrist or psychologist. They
just prayed, read their Bibles and endured it.” Or, “If we got through slavery, we can get through anything.” Beware! If you look closely at her situation, you may find a woman who is crying herself to sleep at night, missing work on a consistent basis, isolating herself from her friends, complaining of constant headaches or going to her medical doctor talking about aches and pains that cannot be explained physically.
The facts are:
An article written by Barbara Jones Warren, RN, MS, PhD for Healthy Place states:
" Statistics regarding depression in African-American women are either non-
existent or uncertain. Part of this confusion is because past published clinical
research on depression in African-American women has been scarce (Barbee,
1992; Carrington, 1980; McGrath et al., 1992; Oakley, 1986; Tomes et al.,
1990). This scarcity is, in part, due to the fact that African-American women
may not seek treatment for their depression, may be misdiagnosed, or may
withdraw from treatment because their ethnic, cultural, and/or gender needs
have not been met (Cannon, Higginbotham, & Guy, 1989; Warren, 1994a). In
addition, there are few available culturally competent researchers who are
knowledgeable regarding the phenomenon of depression in African-American
women. Subsequently, African-American women may not be available to
participate in depression research studies.”
Another article I reviewed for Black Women’s Health.com stated that “Black women find themselves lagging behind whites and other women in health and mental health indices. For example, the depression rate among African American women is estimated to be almost 50% higher than that of Caucasian women.”
The article further affirmed that the rates of mental health problems are higher than average for Black women because of psychological factors that result directly from our experience as Black Americans. These experiences include racism, cultural alienation, violence, and sexual exploitation, now being researched as PTSS (Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome).
African-American women suffer disproportionately
Surveys I have personally conducted, and other studies show that many African-American women rely on supports other than mental health services. There is a strong reliance on community, the support of family, and the religious community during periods of emotional distress. Black women seek mental health care less than white women, and, when they do seek it, do so later in life and at more severe stages of the disease. Some delay treatment so long that admission into a psychiatric hospital is inevitable, whereas early detection could have offered outpatient treatment as an option.
The small percentage of women seeking professional health services has caused mental health professionals to under-diagnose disorders like depression and over-diagnose disorders like schizophrenia in the African-American community. This is due in part, to the fact that African Americans metabolize medications at different rates compared to whites, yet do not remain in treatment long enough to get the right dosage.
I grew up in the 1950s in an era where mental health was not a topic of discussion. If you were having “trouble with your mind” as it was called back then, it was seen as a weakness. If “demons were attacking your soul” as folks said, it was believed that you or your parents must have committed a known or unknown sin and this was the punishment!
Many of us sought health advice from our pastor or medical doctor. Seeking help from a psychiatrist or psychologist was usually not an option we considered, and many of us were unaware of those professionals. Personally, I knew only about school guidance counselors, and they were, more often than not, white. Even today, approximately only 2% of mental health professionals are persons of color.
Help is out there
Since many do indeed seek help from pastors, or clergy persons, a large part of giving back to my community is to offer educational presentations to communities of faith. Topics include mental health issues, signs and symptoms, medications, and treatment options.
Ultimately, you are the master of your own destiny. Check the Internet for the location of mental health professionals or organizations in your area. Keep in mind that not every one experiencing emotional difficulties will need medication. Oftentimes, persons are reacting to a temporary problem in their life and may just need someone other than a friend who will listen and tell them what needs to be done, not just what they want to hear.
If you live in New Jersey and would like further information, feel free to call the NJ Mental Health Cares Help Line at 1 866-202-HELP (4357) to reach a live operator from 8 AM – 8 PM Monday through Friday . Calls are confidential.
In the meantime, here are some ways to maintain your emotional wellness:
Praying
Positive thinking
Mediatation
Journaling (writing your stress away)
Repeating positive affirmations
Love and pamper yourself
Exercise
Spend time with positive people
Seek professional help if you need it
There is no” health” without good mental health”. I hope you are taking care of yours.
