While depression knows no boundaries when it comes to age, sex, economic status or ethnicity, some populations suffer from the disorder more than others. Today, more than 20 million people in America suffer from some form of depression and the U.S. Surgeon General reports that African-Americans and diasporic populations represent a higher risk for certain mental illnesses.
In a world where knowledge is expanding exponentially and popular media report candidly on the most sensitive of issues, it’s remarkable that depression and mental health issues often remain shrouded. Within the African-American community, these issues are often considered taboo topics of conversation.
Individuals hailing from the Caribbean and South American regions show a particular tendency to hide or ignore symptoms of depression such as sadness, energy loss, feelings of unimportance, weight/sleep difficulties and thoughts of death or suicide. These feelings stand in stark contrast to the “don’t worry, be happy” stereotype often associated with individuals hailing from the Caribbean and Latin America.
Similarly, bi-racial individuals often struggle with the cultural conundrum of finding where they “fit into” the broader cultural context. Beyond concealing or denying depression, African-Americans also may lack access to perceived “luxuries” such as mental health services, spas or holistic health services that can make dealing with depression much easier.
As a mental health practitioner, I’ve noted a number of myths surrounding depression. One of the most common myths about depression is that it is “normal” and that certain groups such as teenagers, new mothers, menopausal women and older populations just “naturally” feel depressed. The truth is that depression is not a normal part of life for any individual, regardless of age, ethnicity or life situation. The perpetuation of these mental health myths often results in depression being misdiagnosed, creating needless pain and confusion when proper treatments are available.
Even when a mental health problem is perceived, accessing help is not always “easy” for individuals. The very community, traditions and spiritual heritage that African-Americans cherish can discourage them from seeking help to deal with their depression. Over the years, I’ve heard statements such as, “If our people made it through slavery, they can make it through anything,” or “You should take your troubles to Jesus, not some stranger/psychiatrist.”
Some individuals may use their dialect or language as a reason to avoid seeking help with a mental health concern, but it’s important to note that language is never a barrier to therapy. Therapists are taught to integrate the cultural context – including language – into their therapeutic approach.
Buying into such mantras may seem harmless, but when left untreated, symptoms of mild depression can deteriorate into full-blown depression or other serious mental health disorders.
Finding a solution is not an either/or choice of medication or talk therapy. Healing therapies for depression can encompass traditions and community, whether it’s integrating faith, art, music or nature into the therapeutic model. Again, popular culture has created a myth that mental health means “taking it to the couch.”
Today, there are many models for addressing mental health that include cognitive, experiential, narrative, emotional, structural and systemic. Within the African-American culture, the narrative, storytelling approach works very well; however, a counselor can work with an individual to assess the most effective combination of therapy or therapy and medication.
Depending on the situation, group counseling may be more effective than individual counseling, or can supplement one-on-one counseling. Sometimes being in the context of similar individuals provides important insights. I’ve recently started a group that brings together musicians in a supportive and like-minded context.
Regardless of the treatment plan selected, it’s time to put down the denial and refute the myths surrounding mental health in our community.
Beryl Aguilera is a counselor at the Christian Theological Seminary Couseling Center.
To request a free depression screening contact the counseling center at (317) 924-5205.
