Why there's so few black psychologists?

[TrifeGod]

I think we would excel in psychology if we actually got to a point where we could change how they actually diagnose people...because the doctrine right now that foundates that field is bullshyt imo

 

[Larry Lobster]

LOL. No. I don't. Just cause i choose to express myself differently is no needto be stigmatized as "mentally unstable" or "needing professional help" as if they can't take care of themselves. That's implicitly disrespectful and could be co sidered n act of violence against one's character.

this thread is not about me btw...

I didn't say you're mentally unstable or similar. There's some people who frequent psycho clinics just to talk, not because they have deep issues. And you seem like a person who needs to talk about your problems, you don't have to get defensive, like i said im not judging you

 

[Larry Lobster]

To a degree I allow it, but in providing therapy...your job as a clinician is to be sensitive (empathetically) to all issues, including multicultural concerns, but not allow your sense of values invade the therapeutic environment.

In short, I identify with them, perhaps on a deeper level, but I try not to let it dictate my services.

Do you think being "indifferent" about race helps them, or it doesn't make a difference at all? And do you believe that being black could be a major issue amongst these women?

 

[HoloGraphic]

On the reals, I think being black comes with alot of baggage you need to learn how to handle before it develops into a mental disorder.

 

[Bunchy Carter]

@Money Mase your input to this convo is dead on.

I really wish more black people in America would lead the discussion on mental health in the community. I'm just thoroughly saddened by the lack of acknowledgment there is towards these issues amongst black folks in this society.

The case in point: "Normal" doesn't exist. What does exist is this idea of "normal" and "normalcy" is a construct created by and for white society en masse. By this definition...black people aren't "normal" aren't the "norm" and live in a society where they are stigmatized for it 24/7/365.

There are many things that white people do and say that are just shrugged off and aren't even seen as "abnormal" at all. Whereas (from my observations from interacting with people on this board, please don't condemn me for this), but then again, being at the good end of double standards is one of the many things white privilege offers white people in regards to mental health. Black people don't even have this.

From what I've observed...it's like the moment you reveal yourself as a black person to be against the "norm" of what is acceptable in the black community in America (if you don't listen to rap/r&b primarily, if you do things like skateboarding...or anything black people see as "whitewashed" or "trying to act white"), it's the moment where you're seen as an minority within a minority. Or just carry yourself a different way as a black person...or dress different...or do anything that goes against the common MO of black American society en masse. Not everyone is going to be the same and the world would be boring that way. I feel sometimes that true acts and expression of individuality and being reactionary are seen as "abnormal" in the black community. Whereas the facets that comprise the basic elements of blackness and just being black is seen as "abnormal" to the dominant society.

I say this as someone who went through that system themselves, so best believe I have somewhat of an understanding of mental health..not as much as those who actually make their living in this field (thanks to all of the black psychs and mental health people who have chimed in this thread), but I have tried to understand myself as well as the world around me in this guard considering a black person of my background on this board has felt like an anomaly.

I've been depressed and blamed for my own situations and told to "get over it" like it's a cold. I've tried to express myself in the best ways possible and just show my personality in the most genuine manner on here and told to "seek therapy" "seek professional help" and have been called "untable". Seriously, from that...knowing that other black people are calling me this when I consider who I am in real life as the polar opposite of "unstable" makes me wanna laugh andcry at the same time...we really don't get it collectively and the result of us living in a society where being black in it is the cause for many qualms that can manifest themselves in a negative state just cause is an atmosphere where we're just afraid to even admit to our faults or try to get help for them for the fear of being seen as weak.

Especially when I hear things like suicide is for mentally disturbed people...there are plenty of people I've heard and read about that were seemingly fine to their peers and associates that decided to commit suicide.

The truth is the nature of mental health in regards to the complexity of human beings and the human condition will always lead to the oversimplification of those complexities.

There really need to be more black specialists and people willing to speak on our behalf and help us to make sure our mental condition isn't ignored by the masses.

Black people has always been considered not "normal," but the question is what is normal. If you live in a country where everybody is 5 ft and you grow up to be 6ft you abnormal. People use the word normal as a way to make themselves feel superior, just like if 99% of the country had schizophrenia; schizophrenia would not be considered an abnormal illness, it would be considered normal.

Also, society brushing off crazy white people is just to keep them at the top off the racial food chain. I know about crazy white people because of the field I work in. I work with white people that talk to themselves out loud. Ask themsleves questions and answer thieir own question. Yell, curse and have abnormal outburst. But what do people say; it's ok they do that because there smart. Bullshyt.

When your a black person not doing "black" things; black people consider you white wash. Why? How do you know what is black and what is white? Answer from the media. Black people know that sagging, rap, cursing, useing broken english, not reading books and gangbanging is consider "black" things because that is what they see in the media.

Who owns the media? White people. So, the black people that are calling you white wash are only doing things the white media is telling them to do because it's the "black" thing. If somebody say that
your not doing black thing, ask them what are black things and who told you those are considered black things.

Also, the black people making fun of your mental illness are doing thaf because that's what we do. We rather make fun; than help you. Example Darrly Strawberry, Lamar Odom, Stephon Maurbery and Steve Francis; all suffered from some sort of illness. What did black people do? Help them? fukk no, we made fun of them just like the white people.

Now look at Robert Downey Jr., Mel Gibson and Charlie Sheen; all have had or still do have some sort of illness. What do white people do they help them. Robert Downey is fukking iron man and Charlie Sheen still get shows produced for him.

Don't worry about these crab in the barrel motherfukkers they ain't shyt; do you and take care of yourself.

 

[Dafunkdoc_Unlimited]

We are the only ethnic group on this planet that is defined by an adjective.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/black

Think about that for a minute.​

 

[WaveGang]

The Prophet Amos Wilson??????????????????

 

[Larry Lobster]

The Prophet Amos Wilson??????????????????

 

[Remote]

I know this is a serious issue, but...




"Every time I smoke weed with my black friends, all yall talk about is your trials and tribulations....that's a waste of weed. I'm smoking to run away from my problems, not take on yours!"

 

[WaveGang]

my bad, copy n pasted the wrong link



the book is the bible for Black people

 

[Danie84]

Sadly, Mental Illness is that one disease that has never been diagnosed in our community

 

[Wildin]

Well that is the problem with the community; the blind leading the blind. So the mentally ill is leading the mentally ill.

In the black community who do we hold to a high standard. Athletes, musical atrist, gangsters, and drugs dealers. The majority of them whom have a mental illness; there not going to admit they have a mental illness because they will be considered weak minded. Also, there are not going to seek help because that will conclude that they have a weak mind.

Who do we hold at the low standard; people who educated themselves. People who discover they have a mental illness find out by reading material, seeking help or asking a question. Say a person is hearing voices telling them to kill themselves, the individual would google why do I hear vocies and they would discover the disorder they have including symptoms.

When they educated themselves they will seek help/treatment; that's what black people are afraid to do is ask a question or ask for help; because of the lable of being weak or a dumb or a smart nikka.

To be quite honest, having worked directly with the black communities in 2 states for a little over 2 years. I have found that the belief of worship of false prophets so to speak (entertainers, athletes, music artists) is fake. Pretty much everyone and all of the people I worked with were busy living life. Sure they did things like go to the club, by clothes, and knew what was what. But that's no different then white people who love Taylor Swift and Mumford and Sons, Baseball, Football and Soccer. Yes there is a need for more positive black role models in the communities, and black people like and enjoy other black people who are successful at damn near everything and anything we put our minds too, but its not blind worship, we arent neglecting what we need to do or want to do in mass amounts because we ignorant, there is struggle, paying bills, working, trying to find stable jobs and do better. That is 24/7 and doesnt like to be acknowledged or perpetuated by white media, yet when a white person is behind on their bills and is trying to find a job they can get a news story and donations. :yeshsrug:

@Money Mase your input to this convo is dead on.

I really wish more black people in America would lead the discussion on mental health in the community. I'm just thoroughly saddened by the lack of acknowledgment there is towards these issues amongst black folks in this society.

The case in point: "Normal" doesn't exist. What does exist is this idea of "normal" and "normalcy" is a construct created by and for white society en masse. By this definition...black people aren't "normal" aren't the "norm" and live in a society where they are stigmatized for it 24/7/365.

There are many things that white people do and say that are just shrugged off and aren't even seen as "abnormal" at all. Whereas (from my observations from interacting with people on this board, please don't condemn me for this), but then again, being at the good end of double standards is one of the many things white privilege offers white people in regards to mental health. Black people don't even have this.

From what I've observed...it's like the moment you reveal yourself as a black person to be against the "norm" of what is acceptable in the black community in America (if you don't listen to rap/r&b primarily, if you do things like skateboarding...or anything black people see as "whitewashed" or "trying to act white"), it's the moment where you're seen as an minority within a minority. Or just carry yourself a different way as a black person...or dress different...or do anything that goes against the common MO of black American society en masse. Not everyone is going to be the same and the world would be boring that way. I feel sometimes that true acts and expression of individuality and being reactionary are seen as "abnormal" in the black community. Whereas the facets that comprise the basic elements of blackness and just being black is seen as "abnormal" to the dominant society.

I say this as someone who went through that system themselves, so best believe I have somewhat of an understanding of mental health..not as much as those who actually make their living in this field (thanks to all of the black psychs and mental health people who have chimed in this thread), but I have tried to understand myself as well as the world around me in this guard considering a black person of my background on this board has felt like an anomaly.

I've been depressed and blamed for my own situations and told to "get over it" like it's a cold. I've tried to express myself in the best ways possible and just show my personality in the most genuine manner on here and told to "seek therapy" "seek professional help" and have been called "untable". Seriously, from that...knowing that other black people are calling me this when I consider who I am in real life as the polar opposite of "unstable" makes me wanna laugh andcry at the same time...we really don't get it collectively and the result of us living in a society where being black in it is the cause for many qualms that can manifest themselves in a negative state just cause is an atmosphere where we're just afraid to even admit to our faults or try to get help for them for the fear of being seen as weak.

Especially when I hear things like suicide is for mentally disturbed people...there are plenty of people I've heard and read about that were seemingly fine to their peers and associates that decided to commit suicide.

The truth is the nature of mental health in regards to the complexity of human beings and the human condition will always lead to the oversimplification of those complexities.

There really need to be more black specialists and people willing to speak on our behalf and help us to make sure our mental condition isn't ignored by the masses.

I'll say this and remember to tag you in a thread I will create monday morning. The only person you need to prove yourself to, or worry about your perception from is yourself. Your internal mindset cannot be affected by what others think because they arent the ones who will be depressed or unhappy, feeling trapped in a life. I say it in the new thread, which will come Monday August 25th around 8:45 CST, that I might have to expound on self-awareness. knowing yourself. I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to do that, but im not going to put the cart before the horse, I'm going to get this thread out them move forth.

Black people has always been considered not "normal," but the question is what is normal. If you live in a country where everybody is 5 ft and you grow up to be 6ft you abnormal. People use the word normal as a way to make themselves feel superior, just like if 99% of the country had schizophrenia; schizophrenia would not be considered an abnormal illness, it would be considered normal.

Also, society brushing off crazy white people is just to keep them at the top off the racial food chain. I know about crazy white people because of the field I work in. I work with white people that talk to themselves out loud. Ask themsleves questions and answer thieir own question. Yell, curse and have abnormal outburst. But what do people say; it's ok they do that because there smart. Bullshyt.

When your a black person not doing "black" things; black people consider you white wash. Why? How do you know what is black and what is white? Answer from the media. Black people know that sagging, rap, cursing, useing broken english, not reading books and gangbanging is consider "black" things because that is what they see in the media.

Who owns the media? White people. So, the black people that are calling you white wash are only doing things the white media is telling them to do because it's the "black" thing. If somebody say that
your not doing black thing, ask them what are black things and who told you those are considered black things.

Also, the black people making fun of your mental illness are doing thaf because that's what we do. We rather make fun; than help you. Example Darrly Strawberry, Lamar Odom, Stephon Maurbery and Steve Francis; all suffered from some sort of illness. What did black people do? Help them? fukk no, we made fun of them just like the white people.

Now look at Robert Downey Jr., Mel Gibson and Charlie Sheen; all have had or still do have some sort of illness. What do white people do they help them. Robert Downey is fukking iron man and Charlie Sheen still get shows produced for him.

Don't worry about these crab in the barrel motherfukkers they ain't shyt; do you and take care of yourself.

Dap + Rep

I'm going to have to tag you in some threads I create. I might do a once a week series, every monday morning. The one that is coming this monday is about depression.