The #AfricanAmericancommunity disproportionately experiences #mentalhealthstruggles, yet the stigmas surrounding #mentalillness often lead many individuals to not seek the help they need

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Talya Ryngler

#Mentalillness and #suicide are unfortunately on an upward climb within the #AfricanAmericancommunity.

In January 2022, former #MissUSA #CheslieKryst took her own life. She accomplished a great deal in her life. Apart from winning the Miss USA title in 2019 as one of the most memorable #AfricanAmerican contestants, she was also a Top Ten finisher in the Miss Universe contest.

On top of such great accomplishments, she was also a lawyer and a correspondent on the TV show “Extra.” When the New York #police found her body on West 42nd St., the #police concluded that she must have fallen from an elevated position and her cause of death was #suicide.

Around that same time, upcoming #AfricanAmerican musician and songwriter Ian King Jr., who is also actress Regina King’s son, died by #suicide. A few months later, in May 2022, 19-year-old cheerleader Arlana Miller, who was a #Black #student at Southern University and A&M College in Louisiana, committed #suicide.

Unfortunately, these are just some of many #suicide deaths that have recently plagued the #AfricanAmericancommunity.

According to the #CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention, even though the overall rate of #suicide has decreased, the rate of #suicide amongst young people of color has increased.

I am deeply concerned about these tragedies, and I understand why they are happening within my community. Growing up in a South African family, I was not encouraged to talk about #mentalhealth.

In our culture, we are supposed to always be tough and strong, never burdening our family and community with any problem. Some people within my community even regard #mentalillness as a form of “craziness.”

This is why many people in my community feel too afraid to seek therapy or other forms of help for their #mentalhealthstruggles.

My personal experiences are shared by many South African and other #AfricanAmerican #teenagers. A recent survey conducted by Higher Education Leadership and Management (HELM) found that up to 70% of South African #students were not getting the necessary #mentalhealthsupport that they needed. #Students were battling #anxiety and #stress all on their own regarding their education, personal relationships and physical health.

Worst of all, with the increase of anti-#Black violence occurring around the nation, #AfricanAmericans experience poor #mentalhealth when being exposed to these traumatic incidents.

According to the 2012-17 #Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey, #AfricanAmericans suffered more #mentalhealth activity during the time when two or more anti-#Black violence happened compared to White #American respondents, whose #mentalhealth did not significantly change in connection to anti-#Black violence.

When I think about my own community, I can see many of my friends having trouble processing the recent violence and socioeconomic inequalities that target the #AfricanAmericancommunity.

Sadly, since these issues are not widely discussed within my community, I see more and more of my friends dealing with #anxiety and #depression. And yet, very few of them are seeking help, which is often looked upon negatively within my environment.

#James Donaldson notes:Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.  #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticleOrder your copy of James Donaldson's latest book,#CelebratingYourGiftofLife:From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy

http://www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com

I am starting to understand the hesitancy to seek help. South Africa is ranked as one of the worst countries in the world regarding #mentalhealthresources. Even though #trauma is common in South Africa, which stems from a higher rate of homicide, rape and #domesticviolence, South Africans are still falling far behind in getting the #mentalhealthtreatment they need and deserve.

Knowing all this, I feel an even deeper desire to speak up and incite change. The #AfricanAmericancommunity needs an honest discussion about #mentalhealth.

Most importantly, we need to destigmatize the widespread negative perceptions about #mentalillness so more people can get help. Hopefully, by talking more about #mentalhealth within the #AfricanAmericancommunity, we can save many more lives and support those who are silently suffering.

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https://standingabovethecrowd.com/2022/11/jamesdonaldson-on-mentalhealth-opinion-mentalhealthcrisis-within-the-africanamericancommunity/