Teen talk: Mental Health

Writer: Christina Presmy

Depression and Anxiety are among the most popular mental health issues of many that seem to have taken our generation by storm. Where once, adolescents were carefree and relieved from any major stress, it seems like nowadays those feelings have taken a turn for the worst. Teenagers worldwide are constantly stressed and developing various mental health disorders.

Mental health in the black community is an issue that has been ongoing for years now. A conversation that has continued to grow worldwide where many continue to express their own experiences with mental health and the “Black people have to be strong” narrative that leaves many feeling like a slave to their own minds, as the people closest to them don’t seem to understand.

Let’s face it: Mental health use to be almost nonexistent in African American households. These conversations JUST started happening. Parents are JUST beginning to comprehend how their children can be depressed at the age of 16 because "what can they possibly be depressed about when they don’t pay bills and have a roof over their head."

Mental health conditions are not taken seriously in the Black community because they are not understood. Many hear “mental illness” and it automatically translates into personal weakness because if you’re depressed, and depression is just sadness in the eyes of many, why can’t you just stop being sad?

American teenagers have definitely been voicing their opinions when it comes to black mental health.

Thankfully, the conversations in many Black households have begun to occur. Black people of all ages have decided to invest in their mental health by seeking outside help: therapy. A concept in many homes worldwide that use to not even be an option, but is now the first stage to regaining a healthy mindset.

Now, let’s take this entire mental health issue in teens one step further.

An African American teen voicing his stance on black mental health in families on Twitter.

A few years ago when teenagers would express that they were going through anxiety and depression, in particular, it would be met with support in a way. Maybe not the overwhelming amount of support they were looking for, but there were definitely caring reactions. Now because “everyone is depressed” people often downplay the extent to which an individual is depressed, stating that there is a big difference between being sad and being depressed.

It’s difficult to understand how an individual can judge another person’s mental health journey when they are not experiencing what that person is feeling on a daily basis.

With that being said, we must stop questioning and judging and begin extending resources and lending our hearts to those who need it. Lend your heart by listening, physically being present can make all the difference for many.

Let us all continue to INVEST in our mental health and break the stigma surrounding African Americans and mental health for once and for all.

SOURCES:

https://www.nami.org/Find-Support/Diverse-Communities/African-Americans