• Advertise
  • Donate
  • Subscribe
    • Become a print subscriber
    • Sign up for e-Newsletter
    • e-Editions
Thursday, September 28, 2023
No Result
View All Result
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
  • News & Features
    • National
    • Local
    • Special Editions
      • MLK Legacy
      • Black History Month
      • The MSR Celebrates Women’s History Month
  • All Sections
    • Opinion
      • Mellaneous by Mel Reeves
      • Word on the Street
      • Reaching Out From Within
    • Health + Wellness
      • Women’s Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • Minnesota Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Sports
      • Timberwolves/NBA
      • Lynx/WNBA
        • 20 in 20
      • Twins/MLB
      • MN Wild/NHL
      • Vikings/NFL
    • Business
      • Small Business Month Celebration
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
    • Arts + Culture
    • Photo Galleries
      • Photo of the Week
    • MSR Forefront Digital Roundtable Series
      • MSR Forefront Highlights
    • Go Green
    • Education
    • Bulletin
    • Jobs & Notices
      • Legals
      • Announcements
  • Events
    • Submit an event!
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • e-Editions
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
  • News & Features
    • National
    • Local
    • Special Editions
      • MLK Legacy
      • Black History Month
      • The MSR Celebrates Women’s History Month
  • All Sections
    • Opinion
      • Mellaneous by Mel Reeves
      • Word on the Street
      • Reaching Out From Within
    • Health + Wellness
      • Women’s Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • Minnesota Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Sports
      • Timberwolves/NBA
      • Lynx/WNBA
        • 20 in 20
      • Twins/MLB
      • MN Wild/NHL
      • Vikings/NFL
    • Business
      • Small Business Month Celebration
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
    • Arts + Culture
    • Photo Galleries
      • Photo of the Week
    • MSR Forefront Digital Roundtable Series
      • MSR Forefront Highlights
    • Go Green
    • Education
    • Bulletin
    • Jobs & Notices
      • Legals
      • Announcements
  • Events
    • Submit an event!
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • e-Editions
No Result
View All Result
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
No Result
View All Result

Improving mental health is in everyone’s interest

by
August 12, 2015
54
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on LinkedIn

EmotionWellnessIn 2008, Congress designated July as Minority Mental Health Month in honor of Bebe Moore Campbell, writer of both fiction and non-fiction, advocate, and spokesperson for the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI). According to National Public Radio, prior to her death from cancer at 56, she challenged the stigma of mental illness which she perceived as a barrier that prevents African Americans from getting needed treatment.

At the heart of such stigma are beliefs, attitudes, misinformation and fear about mental disorders. Only 31 percent of African Americans believe that mental disorders are health problems (mentalhealthamerica.net), and they are more likely to seek medical care for conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure than for depression or anxiety.

According to NAMI, the top five reasons that African Americans did not report mental health issues or seek help are:

  • Might hurt the family
  • Might ruin their career
  • People might think they are crazy
  • They cannot afford to appear weak
  • Shame and embarrassment

Belief systems can be barriers to seeking help for mental disorders or emotional stressors. There is the belief that African American women are strong and never crack under pressure. This suggests that to seek help somehow implies that one is less than one should be. Similarly, men are expected to “man up” when experiencing emotional distress.

The costs of not receiving treatment for mental health disorders are great and can be fatal. Major depression is the number-one cause of disability worldwide and, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), one in seven of those living in poverty suffer from depression. African American women are more likely to be depressed when compared to other races and are far less likely to receive treatment.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Poverty, racism, trauma and violence are all risk factors for poor mental health. With poverty, there is greater exposure to unpredictable life events leading to a lack of stability along with less access to community, familial and social supports.

With untreated mental health disorders, African American men become more vulnerable to incarceration, homelessness, substance abuse, homicide and suicide. The leading cause of death for African American men ages 15-24 is homicide, followed by accidents and suicide.

The suicide rate for African American children age five to 11 doubled from 1993 to 2012 and is the ninth-leading cause of death for this age group (CDC). This is a public health crisis within the African American community.

The faith community is taking action on the impact of mental disorders in the African American community. Ten churches in Tennessee have developed Emotional Fitness Centers where members of the community can receive mental health screenings, education and referrals. Many churches around the country have developed action plans to improve not only the mental health but the physical health of their congregation.

Everyone can work to improve education and knowledge about the mental health of our loved ones and friends. You can assist by:

- ADVERTISEMENT -
  • Removing barriers to treatment and improving access to mental health treatment
  • Removing stigma associated with mental health treatment
  • Increasing awareness of cultural differences in the expression of emotional distress
  • Having conversations about mental health and its importance
  • Being a good listener

 

If you or someone you know is suicidal or having a mental health emergency, call Child Crisis Services at 612-348-2233, Community Outreach for Psychiatric Emergencies for Adults (COPE) at 612-596-1223, HCMC Acute Psychiatric services (APS) at 612-873-3161, Suicide Prevention Hotline at 612-873-2222, or contact a mental health professional.

Deirdre Annice Golden, Ph.D., LP, is director of Behavioral Health for NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center Behavioral Health Clinic, 1313 Penn Ave. N. She welcomes reader responses to Deirdre.Golden@co.hennepin.mn.us, or call 612-543-2705.

Support Black local news

Help amplify Black voices by donating to the MSR. Your contribution enables critical coverage of issues affecting the community and empowers authentic storytelling.

Donate Now!

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

All about the skin you’re in

Next Post

Black men must assume their share of communal responsibility

You Might Also Like

Linemen lead St. Paul Central past city rival
Sports

Linemen lead St. Paul Central past city rival

What should the community do with the Third Precinct now?
Local

City Council reneges on Third Precinct proposal

Hennepin County attorney to handle investigation into Cobb killing
Local

Hennepin County attorney to handle investigation into Cobb killing

The debate over police officers in schools
Local

The debate over police officers in schools

Sickle Cell Awareness Month: Breakthrough treatments on the horizon
Health & Wellness

Sickle Cell Awareness Month: Breakthrough treatments on the horizon

Health department concerned about Stillwater water supply, but says it is safe to drink
Local

Health department concerned about Stillwater water supply, but says it is safe to drink

Next Post
It’s time to talk: addressing our emotional pain

Black men must assume their share of communal responsibility

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
ADVERTISEMENT

Upcoming Events

Sep 12
September 12 @ 6:30 pm-December 18 @ 9:30 pm Recurring

Vic Volare Presents MUSIC FOR MARTINIS ft: Vic’s Fabulous Nightclub Academy

Sep 28
7:30 pm-9:30 pm Recurring

Ayodele Casel Rooted

Sep 30
9:00 am-1:00 pm Recurring

Cars and Caves

Sep 30
10:00 am-12:00 pm

dem Blessings for Parents: A Morning of Creative Nourishment with Sharon Bridgforth

View Calendar
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Read our latest e-Edition!

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Subscribe

  • Home/Office Delivery
  • Weekly e-newsletter
  • e-Editions

Support

  • Donate
  • Subscribe
  • MSR Newsstand Locations

Connect

  • About
    • MSR Staff
  • Contact
  • Send a news tip
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms

© 2023 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

No Result
View All Result
  • News & Features
    • Local
    • National
  • All Sections
    • Arts & Culture
    • Health & Wellness
      • Women’s Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • MN Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Business
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
      • Small Business Month Celebration
    • Opinion
    • Sports
  • Events
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • Donate
  • Subscribe

© 2023 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d bloggers like this: