The Dark and Unexplored Corridors of Mental Illness within the Black Community - Part Two: House of Shame & Hall of Myths

In the first part of this series, I briefly discussed the attachment of shame (stigma) by many African-Americans to mental illness. Not unlike other groups, but certainly to a larger degree, African-Americans allow these beliefs to become roadblocks to treatment. While for many, issues of racism, lack of insurance and mistrust of the system are valid - stigma and lack of being well informed prove the greatest obstacles.  

Subsequently, according to statistics, only 1 in 3 African Americans who need mental health care receive it. Noted Black psychiatrist Dr. Sarah Y. Vinson, founder and chief editor of BlackMentalHealthNet.com says, "Stigma often stifles the conversation regarding mental illness in the Black community," and "families too often base decisions on little information or misinformation.” 

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A 1998 study commissioned by the National Mental Health Association, found that surprisingly many African-Americans looked upon those suffering from mental illness as inferior saying, they (patients) should be kept away from society sans “keep an eye on Baby.” Moreover, a public opinion poll taken during the 90s showed that 63% of African-Americans believed depression was a personal weakness, and that only 31% believed depression was a health problem (NMHA). Beliefs such as these, in addition to the shame and embarrassment associated with mental illness affect both the individual and the family… causing them to hide the illness rather than seek treatment and is a persistent problem in the African-American community. And while these beliefs are not gender specific, a recent study by Waite & Killian, 2008 found that African-American women believed they were not susceptible to depression and that individuals develop depression due to having a “weak mind, poor health, a troubled spirit, and lack of self-love.” 

~~ Witten by Jay Arrington
      Maryland Daily Examiner