MENTAL HEALTH CONFESSION
"Black Girl Struggling" By Jada Carrington
hen I first started struggling with my mental health, I felt so out of place and different. One of the reasons I felt that way is because I didn't see anybody that looked like me struggling like this, and so I thought there must be something wrong with me. It seemed like none of the other black girls I knew were feeling depressed, having suicidal thoughts or cutting themselves, which made me want to hide my struggles even more, because I didn't want to be judged or criticized. I didn't want to be "that weird girl", and I didn't want to be called "crazy" or "psycho". I just didn't want to be different in that way. I know that sounds a bit extreme, but when you grow up in a community that never talks about their struggles, and constantly associates mental health problems only with white people, then you begin to internalize your feelings and respond the same way. For example, I didn't tell many people at the time that I was cutting myself, but the friend I did tell said "Girl, that's what them white kids do." And in that moment, I was discouraged from opening up to anyone else. Seeking help wasn't even an option, seeing as though I couldn't even talk about it. It wasn't until I left high school and became an advocate that other girls and women who looked like me started sharing their stories and admitting to their struggles. Suddenly, I didn't feel alone anymore. I talked to many other black women who could relate deeply to my story. There was a girl that was younger than me and an older woman in her 70's who both could relate. That let me know that mental health problems do not discriminate, and that anyone can go through some of the same things I had experienced. That's one of the reasons I advocate, in hopes that someone else who looks like me, will not be ashamed of their struggles, and will want to reach out for help. As black women face a lot of hardships, and don't always get the opportunity to express ourselves because we are often looked at as the
strong ones who has to hold everything together. We don't talk about mental health in the black community, due to years of stigma and even desensitization, but we should. It is crucial to the wellbeing of not only our mental health, but the mental health of future generations to come. We owe it to our ancestors who struggled and had to take it to their graves. So, this is for all the black girls like me, who never felt like their pain was valid......you are important, your feelings matter, and you are worth it. You are so much more than the depression, the anxiety, the self-harm, the suicidal thoughts, the mental illness, the trauma and all of the pain. You deserve healing, you deserve happiness, and most importantly, you deserve to live. Don't let anybody tell you otherwise!
WHY DON'T MEN TALK TO THEIR DOCTORS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH? • • • • • • •
Ive learned to deal with it I have no one to talk to I don't want to appear weak I don't want to be a burden on anyone I'm too embarrased I don't want to admit I need help There's a negative stigma
Please make sure you check on the men in your life. #menmentalhealthmatters
www.wefightfoundation.org
