The Write Support: Black Mental Health and Emotional Wellness Part 2

Hey #JustWrite!! We are in the 3rd Quarter of 2022. Can you believe it? The month of July is a time of rest for many of us and an opportunity to take those final summer vacations as we stated in the previous blog about bucket lists. This month the conversation of mental health continues with our previous book club read, The Unapologetic Guide to Black Mental Health by author Dr. Rheeda Walker. The previous book club conversation about black mental health occurred in October 2021. This was during the time World Mental Health Day was observed. For those who are not aware, the month of July is when awareness is brought "to the unique struggles that racial and ethnic minority communities face regarding mental illness in the United States." It's only befitting that we bring the conversation back to the forefront this month. So what prevents black mental health awareness? The following are the top 10 barriers that have prevented black mental health:

1. High Costs

2. Familial Shame

3. Cultural Shame (an extension of familial shame)

4. Lack of Diversity in Health Care

5. Poor competency among non-black clinicians (lack of understanding that culture, race, and ethnicity play a role in mental health)

6. Whiteness as a Foundation to Mental Health

7.  Distrust of Medical Industry

8.  Difficulty Navigating the Process

9. Emotional Hesitation

10. Negative Past Experiences

As we know, these barriers in addition to other factors (systemic racism) continue to add to the huge rate of depression and suicide. In Dr. Walker's book, she takes readers on a historical exploration of this crisis and offers a much needed road map for guidance and healing. Here are some quotes from the book: 

“Scientists can say with confidence that racism is bad for Black mental health."

“Be careful about how you hide yourself from people who care. Your hiding could set up a life-or-death situation whereby you are in need and there is no one left to help.”

“You need so much more than mental health or “well-being” in this era of discrimination, invisibility, and psychological warfare. You need an impermeable web of protection for your mind.”

“If you (or someone you care about) cannot take on as much as someone else, that does not make you either weak or crazy. You just have to prepare differently and live your life unapologetically for you.”

“An African proverb says, “When spiderwebs unite, they can tie up a lion.”

Join the conversation on July 26th at 6pm as we continue to explore the notions that continue to plague the black community as it relates to mental health. As stated in our previous blog, "It's still time to heal and experience a freedom, holistically, mentally, and spiritually. Be free, unapologetically."

Let us all continue to walk boldly in our healing journey. Remember, "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." Psalms 147:3

In His service,

Lequvia Ousley