Mental illness is already notoriously clouded with bad stigma in any community. Those who are affected often do not come forward out of fear of how they may be perceived once they speak up. As a white woman, I know that among my friends and family that mental illnesses are extremely misunderstood and opting to see a therapist or accepting treatment is considered unusual. It’s not uncommon to hear, “Why talk to a stranger about your feelings? You only need your family.”
Black women are also often resistant to come forward about it for this same reason. It is seen as abnormal and even weak among their communities; they are told that they just need stronger faith in the church or to just pray about it. They also don’t want to place another label on themselves, adding to the thousands that have built up over the years and years of oppression and misrepresentation. Sadly, the oppression and misrepresentation is what often leads to these complications with depression and anxiety. Both are rarely taken seriously in any community, but this notion is amplified in black communities. Monica Coleman PH. D, a professor and blog writer, says that she believes that the stigma surrounding mental illness in black communities is more predominant than the stigma in white communities:
“There is still an active mythos of “the strong black woman,” who is supposed to be strong and present and capable for everyone in her family – and neglects her own needs.”
Coming forward with mental illnesses is a very tough and frightening experience for anyone. Chimamanda Ngozi is one of the most outspoken and fearless women that I have come across in the feminist community and, for her, talking about her depression was something she did with trepidation. When her journey with depression was prematurely posted by The Guardian, she was angry. Not only did it inaccurately represent her as someone who struggles with depression rather than as someone who gained control over it and wanted to empower others who shared the condition, it was published without her permission. She said she felt violated, stating:
I wanted to make sure I was emotionally ready to write the piece. I don’t usually write about myself and certainly not very personally. I wanted it to be honest and true. The only way to write about a subject like that is to be honest.
She goes on to talk about how she wanted to “de-mystify” it and remove the stigma that often surrounds herself and those in her community:
Young creative people, especially on our continent, have enough to deal with without thinking – as I did for so long – that something is fundamentally wrong with feeling this strange thing from time to time. Our African societies are not very knowledgeable or open or supportive about depression. People who don’t have depression have a lot of difficulty understanding it, but people who have it are also often befuddled by it.
This stigma is just as strong and powerful as much as it is harmful. Undiagnosed mental illnesses are known for being silent killers. As a strong supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement and of mental health reformation, it is terrifying that Black Lives are being quietly taken because of untreated mental health issues. It’s just one more thing out of our control due to unfair stereotypes and oppression. It is time we start taking mental illnesses and depression seriously – especially among Black Women. The “strong black women” or the “angry, over emotional black girl” stereotypes have got to evaporate, in both white and black communities. It is unfair to paint an entire race of women as either too unfeeling or too irrational and dismiss their legitimate feelings. It really is true that the most disrespected person is the black woman. Malcolm X was too entirely right about that. All of us need to start making an effort to validate the feelings, struggles, and experiences of black women.
Starting conversations about mental health is a main priority when trying to accomplish the normalization of mental illnesses. They are more common than people realize and they are very treatable. Everyone will experience a case of depression at least once in their adult lives. Every single person knows or will know this deep sadness and pain yet it is still never vocalized. Healing in any community always starts with open honesty and acceptance. Once a single person opens up and sheds light on their personal struggles, another one will step forward and then another one and then another one. Talking about it and recognizing it is crucial for change to happen. Coleman says it is very beneficial to her and others to have open conversations about her experiences:
“I also feel a lot of affirmation when people respond — especially other black women — and let me know that their processes and challenges are made lighter by hearing their experience reflected from a pulpit, leadership, the classroom, or wherever I am. That confirms what I’ve felt is a calling from God. It encourages me, and helps my health.”
We can all be conversation starters and champions for change when it comes to mental health. Black Lives are too precious to turn a blind eye against harmful illnesses that can certainly be treated. While I realize that health care is difficult to pay for and that not everyone can afford that privilege, I do believe that vocalizing concern, criticizing and questioning misrepresentations of black women, and allowing these women to be honest with their feelings, that they can begin to heal in safety. True strength comes from talking about your feelings and conquering them, no matter how scary it may be; true activism comes from speaking out about the injustices and trying to right those wrongs. It is a great disappointment for all of the black women out there who have to bottle up their feelings. We are keeping them from reaching their full potential because of this misunderstanding of mental illnesses. We need to allow them to conquer themselves, so that they can conquer the world.
