GOOD HEALTH
Surviving a Dark Place
By Dr. Reyna Gilmore-Gordon, M.D.
S he couldn’t take anymore. Today she was going to do something about her situation. She walked through the hospital and found herself at the Psychiatry Department. She told herself that she was going to talk to the first person she saw. As the universe would have it, that person would be a black female psychiatrist, a person who would change her life forever. I was exposed to the impact of mental illness very early in life, through real life exposures in my family as well as my own mental health struggles. I am very grateful to have been taught the importance of mental health treatment, as I would realize as I got older and entered into adulthood the stigma that came with mental illness, especially in the African American community. As I matriculated through college, medical school, and my general psychiatry residency at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (Xavier University of Louisiana, Howard University College of Medicine, and Morehouse School of Medicine, respectively), I learned that discrimination, inequality and inequity occurred in health care. In college and medical school, I became aware of medical health disparities in communities of color, and as I started my psychiatry training, I became aware of mental health disparities in these communities as well. The stigma surrounding mental health is a complex issue that can affect various
communities. Historically, there have been cultural, social and systemic factors that contribute to this stigma in the Black community. Culturally, mental health issues have been seen as a byproduct of not having a strong enough faith or even a lack of faith. Some individuals may perceive seeking help for mental health issues as a sign of weakness or view mental health problems as a personal failing rather than a legitimate health concern. This lack of psychoeducation can lead to social isolation and even discrimination from community members. Additionally, racial inequities and barriers in access to mental health care and discrimination can further compound the challenges faced by Black individuals dealing with mental health issues. We can learn from history and not repeat its maladaptive patterns while simultaneously embracing the strengths, positive ideals and lessons taught by those who came before us. Efforts are being made to raise awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health. Organizations and individuals are advocating for culturally sensitive and inclusive mental health care practices. It is crucial to continue fostering understanding, empathy and support to address the unique needs and experiences of individuals within the Black community who may be dealing with mental health challenges. It is also important to continue to provide psychoeducation to not only our community but to society as a whole,
recognizing the diverse and cultural differences within communities of color. There is a connection between mental, physical and spiritual health. If one does not take care of his/her mental health, then physical and spiritual health are negatively affected. If one does not take care of his/her mental health, then physical and spiritual health are negatively affected. A broken spirit can also lead to negative physical and mental health outcomes. As a community, African Americans have been told that mental illness is a byproduct of “demons” and not having enough faith, and that one must “pray the depression away”. This leads to the myth that faith and mental health treatment are mutually exclusive. In actuality, faith can be a protective factor in the treatment of mental health. It is also important that primary care physicians be educated and trained to treat African Americans with mental illness who will likely go to a primary care provider before going to a mental health agency due to the factors stated above. So, what happened to that depressed woman who couldn’t take anymore and walked into the hospital’s Psychiatry Department? The Black female psychiatrist was able to tell right away that the woman needed help and assisted her in getting the mental health treatment she needed. That depressed woman was me, and that Black female psychiatrist literally saved my life.
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RADIANTLY BLACK
VOLUME 1 / ISSUE 1
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