|
'Tis the season to
be jolly and the pressure is on. We often find ourselves amidst the
various types of stress associated with the holiday season. Women find
themselves managing the “to do” list full of activities, from picking
up a child’s gift to cooking Christmas dinner. Men run errands and
manage home repairs. Students work diligently to finish the semester
and make their way home. With so much to do and to be done, the truth
is that the holiday season often brings individuals to the brink of
mental unhealthiness.
While there are
various types of mental disorders that affect many Americans, depression
is the most commonly noted detriment to our mental health. With anywhere
from 17 to 20 million people affected each year, it is statistically
noted as the number one cause of suicide. To no surprise, studies
have additionally found that women generally experience depression at
twice the rate of men. Depression is, without a doubt, a force to be
reckoned within American society.
But what do we
really know about depression? How does it affect us as a community?
How does it affect black women adversely?
Depression
& the Black Community:
We’ve heard about,
seen, and have probably touched depression in some way, shape, or form
throughout our lives. With symptoms ranging from persistent sadness,
loss of interest, irritability, restlessness, feelings of worthlessness,
and thoughts of death and/or suicide, depression resembles an array
of emotions that have been experienced by all. But it is the persistence
of five or more of such symptoms daily, which sets suicide apart from
an occasional occurrence of emotional instability.
With caution flags
raised, some Americans seek help immediately. Research has shown that
80% of these individuals are successfully treated. But in the black
community, such symptoms accompany no red flags but find explanations.
“Oh it’s just stress” like many other explanations, many blacks
view such symptoms a product of the political, social and economic adversities
faced in American society. Using optimism, religion and other forms
of self medication, blacks combat the difficulties associated with depression.
A study conducted
by The Harvard School of Public Health, illustrated that 10.4% of blacks
of African descent and 12.9% of blacks of West Indian or Caribbean descent
have experienced depression. With fewer than half of either of these
groups receiving the appropriate treatment for depression, the study
further detailed that blacks are more likely to experience a severe
and sometimes disabling form of depression. In many instances, this
untreated depression manifest itself into additional health problems
such a hypertension, obesity, heart disease and other mental disorders.
Black, a
Woman, and Susceptible to Depression
A problem that
bears heavy upon the shoulder of those within the black community, black
women find themselves to be most adversely affected. Not only do black
women experience depression at a rate nearly 50% higher than that of
white women, they are twice as likely to experience depression as black
men. Yet despite such high rates of susceptibility, a mere 7% of black
women receive the necessary treatment to combat depression.
Despite the evident
signs, black women ascribe to the communal belief that depression is
merely a sign of personal weakness and not a “real” health problem.
A survey conducted by Mental Health America further supports such ideologies
as 63% of blacks suggested that depression is a personal weakness, while
on 31% consider it to be a significant medical problem. Black women
further attribute to such beliefs by ignoring the problem and noting
their historical role as supporters of their community and ability to
withstand the many adversities attributed to their lifestyles. As black
women remain silent, depression continues to have an ever-present and
significant impact on both their mental and physical health.
Eddie Levert, lead
singer of the OJays, states it best, "Black women have always taken
care of us -- their men, their children, and their community. I have
seen first-hand the damaging effects of depression, and it's past time
we support our women and educate the black community to recognize depression
for what it is -- a medical illness that is nothing to be ashamed of."
The Call
for Change within the Black Community:
In echo of Levert’s
sentiments, leaders of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) have collaborated
to urge the black community to acknowledge depression as a mental disorder
and further assist black women to address and treat it. Rep. Carlson
of the CBC further suggests that "One thing about black women is that
they are survivors... we need to solve a growing crisis among black
women who remain silent about this disease in an effort to appear strong."
Such steps by black leadership maintain that the role of depression
in the black community has a significant national impact in the realm
of public health.
To date, treatment
options include antidepressant medication, psychotherapy, and a combination
of these two treatments dependent upon the severity of the depression.
Though the usage of such treatments is not a traditional means of treatment
within the black community their usage may be imperative to changing
the role of mental health disorders amongst blacks. Such is especially
important in response to the rise of suicide rates amongst blacks, especially
amongst adolescents. These treatments can also combat the use of self
medicating elements, such as drugs and/or alcohol. Further research
is being conducted to determine the role of environmental factors in
depression amongst blacks.
For additional
information, please visit the following Blacks & Mental Health Resources:
|
Content 
