Mental Health is Health
Crystal Garvey PhD, RN
Mental Health is Health
It is no secret that mental health has significantly affected the Black community for centuries. Mental health is sometimes described as an experience as isolating, crippling, suffocating, an abyss where darkness lives, or a place where all hope and love is sometimes lost. Unlike other health conditions, mental health is challenging to diagnose, and it heavily relies on the individual’s narrative. Mental health is a response that impacts psychological, physiological, and emotional well-being, which can affect how a person responds to their environment (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023). Mental health is an experience of a range of feelings that can be seen or felt. A recent report by the Mental Health Commission (2021) reported that 38.3% of Black Canadians experienced mental health issues between 2001-2014. Therefore, mental health continues to plague the community silently. The intent of this article is to bring insight and awareness about the issues surrounding mental health, to amplify the voice of the youth and, more importantly, to provide realistic means on how to be an effective advocate for the youth and the community.
Barriers
The Black voice, the voice of our ancestors and community, has been intentionally silenced. Our stories were never believed. Sadly, the few who had no option to speak out and get help for their mental illness became subjected to the horrors of the healthcare system or institutions, which resulted in having unwanted surgeries, being over-medicated, moments of isolation, and, some cases, death (Schalk,2022). It is this dark history that has created a system of mistrust; and, more importantly, identifying the various systems put in place to cultivate the stigmas, stereotypes, and racism experienced within the community.
Research corroborates the voice of youth, establishing that Black youth are disproportionately underserved (Schalk 2022), which means the mental health needs and support of youth are being neglected. These findings have also been supported in a recent study by Fante-Coleman et al. (2023), who report in their research that not only are Black youth underserved, but systemic racism continues to thrive, which validates that there has been minimal action when it comes to cultural responsiveness and intentionality of understanding the Black narrative. Fante-Coleman et al. (2023) further indicate that Black youth have difficulty accessing mental health services because of extremely long wait lists; or the service can’t be accessed because the fees associated with it are beyond the financial reach of the person who needs them (Fante-Coleman et al. 2023).
These findings in the research continue to imply why mental health in the black community is underreported. It presents how these barriers and acts of silence and racism have deeply wounded the community. Moreover, the evidence illustrates how systemic barriers are carefully crafted and intricately interwoven. This prevents those who need services from accessing or getting support when experiencing a change in mental health.
With that being said, it is inappropriate for a youth or young adult to have to shoulder the responsibility of navigating their health on their own in a system where inherent barriers have been created to intentionally deny them access to the fundamental care or support needed.
Mental Health Support and Wellness Management
Therefore, as a community, we need to be intentional in finding ways to support our youth and their mental health. The lived experience(s) and consequences of their mental health are associated with many of the traumas and inexplicable experiences that some youths have endured during their life span.
First, it is critical to believe the story of the individual. We need to meet the person where they want to be ‘met at’, and as a community, support that individual. Take the time to listen to their story actively and intentionally. Next, believe them. More times than none, youth tend to indicate that no one, including their family and community members, believes their narrative, which inherently silences them. Finally, when appropriate, actively and intentionally engage in finding professional help or a peer support group(s) that can provide what is needed for the individual.
Another option for managing mental health or supporting a person dealing with this issue is to find activities that may be of interest to the individual and can be easily accessed. These activities will stimulate the various senses and activate enzymes and chemicals in the body that will cultivate healing and wellness. Activities can range from art, meditation, deep breathing exercises, journaling, talking to trusted friends or family members, or finding a community group. Engaging in these activities does not only come with major benefits in managing mental health, but also, for the most part, they are free or come at a minimal cost. As previously indicated, these activities can activate chemicals in a person’s body that make them feel positive emotions such as happiness, peace, love, and joy. It is these activities that many therapists use as treatment plans to manage their patient care, which also has been documented to cure or manage anxiety, stress and depression (Mental Health Foundation, 2023).
To conclude, supporting youth authentically is one step in the right direction. Doing this demonstrates that the community is leading the change needed in advocacy, breaking the silence, and eventually dismantling systemic barriers. If you or someone you know is suffering from a mental health issue(s), be reminded that mental health is health. It is okay to seek help in whatever capacity is considered to be safe. Mental health is not only schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, but it could be anxiety, stress or depression. Therefore, let it be a reminder that it is okay to take time to be intentional about re-centering yourself or supporting someone who needs to be re-centered. If re-centering isn't enough, below are some free services that come at minimal cost for those on a budget who are in need of professional support.
References
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, April 28). About mental health. https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/learn/index.htm
Fante-Coleman, T., Jackson-Best, F., Booker, M., & Worku, F. (2023). Organizational and practitioner challenges to Black youth accessing mental health care in Canada: Problems and solutions. Canadian Psychology / Psychologie Canadienne. https://doi.org/10.1037/cap0000370
Mental Health Foundation (023). How arts can help improve your mental health.https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/blogs/how-arts-can-help-improve-your-mental-health
Mental Health Commission. (2021). Shining a light on mental health in Black communities. chrome extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://mentalhealthcommission.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/covid_19_tip_sheet_health_in_black_communities_eng.pdf
Schalk, S. (2022). Black disability politics. Duke university Press.
Guide to Mental Health Supports
Black Youth Helpline blackyouth.ca | (TF) 1-833-294-8650 or 416-285-9944
Canadian Mental Health Association Peel Dufferin https://cmhapeeldufferin.ca/ | 905-451-2123 or 1-877-451-2123 IN CRISIS? 24/7 Crisis Support Peel Dufferin | 905-278-9036
Every Mind Mental Health Services everymind.ca | 905-795-3500 or 905-278-9036
Roots Community Services - rootscs.org Ph: 905-455-6789 ext. 125 email: [email protected]
Stella’s Places - https://stellasplace.ca Ph: 416-461-2345 email: [email protected]
Tangerine Walk-In Counselling - tangerinewalkin.com Ph: 905-795-3530 email: embedded in website. Tangerine is a free service provided by EveryMind for children, youth and families in the Peel Region that offers 45-minute brief consultations Monday through Friday.