Will we ever have an open and honest discussion about mental health in the black community?

[Pier7]

I grew up on the block and also deal with depression. Diagnose me.

So did I.

Its different for everybody dumbass. We talking about Legacy and his personal issues here

Going back to Pittsburgh and comparing it to NYC was where my depression began. There in new york i seemed to fit right in. When i came back to Pittsburgh i came bacl to realize how much i stuck out like a sore thumb. Seeing other Nigerians and West Indians there was like finding a needle in a haystack. Being African divided me between african americans. Being a suburban bred black person seperated me even further.
.

See what I mean. Legacy's problems stemmed from his environment.

 

[CinnaSlim]

Yes. We do. Most just dont have the time, money and resources to get the help thats needed. It would be helpful to share any information that you do have while talking about the issue.

 

[Neuromancer]

So did I.

Its different for everybody dumbass. We talking about Legacy and his personal issues here

Why exactly must you name call? Do you have trouble expressing yourself otherwise?

 

[2CT]

not as long as we got shows like Maury on television and nobody has a problem with it

 

[Pier7]

Why exactly must you name call? Do you have trouble expressing yourself otherwise?

Shut the fukk up, we not doing this dance woe

 

[Neuromancer]

I'll tell you when it started.

It was spring of 2007. I was still living in Pittsburgh I had just finished up my semester kn community college (that I took to transfer credits back ro a four year uni that i bombed at and had to go on academic probation). I enjoyed it cause it was diverse. I went on a trip to nyc with friends and enjoyed it. Going back to Pittsburgh and comparing it to NYC was where my depression began. There in new york i seemed to fit right in. When i came back to Pittsburgh i came bacl to realize how much i stuck out like a sore thumb. Seeing other Nigerians and West Indians there was like finding a needle in a haystack. Being African divided me between african americans. Being a suburban bred black person seperated me even further.

I remember starting my semester at pitt in fall of 2006 and immediately getting depressed. I would be one of the only black people in my classes that had over 50 people in them. It was so overwhelmingly white and after going to community college where id be in classes with mostly black people I couldnt get used to it. Women did not fukk with black guys that weren't on the basketball or football team so i ended up going months/years without p*ssy and pittsburgh is hella racist to boot. Even black women in pittsburgh dont fukk with black men...most of them date white guys like everyone else. To top that off the black student athletes clowned me and called me an oreo and an uncle tom when they would see me on my skateboard.

I spent time in western psych after a failed suicide attempt. I ended up getting out and going on risperdal and gaining 60 pounds.

I got back into school and signed up for all pe classes...did kickboxing and yoga too. Exercising helped my mental health greatly. I graduated with a 3.9 and used the money i saved up after graduation to move to nyc and ive been here ever since.

You live in nyc? We should get up.

 

[Chichi Manietzsche]

Im actually reading a book on this subject now.

So far its been really informative and affirming for me to know Im not the only black person who struggles with these type of things...

Ive dealt with depression and anxiety for most of my adult life, and it can be really scary to try being honest and open about it with other people because theirs such a stigma attached to it, and people can often be very dismissive. Like, I tried talking to my mom about how I felt, about how I was thinking about taking medication or seeing a therapist, and she hit me with the:
"You just need to get a man, you'll be alright "
"you've always been too sensitive you just need to toughen up"
"pray on it. God'll make everything alright "

 

[Unknown Poster]

So did I.

Its different for everybody dumbass. We talking about Legacy and his personal issues here




See what I mean. Legacy's problems stemmed from his environment.

Thank you...you see it. It is different. I eventually just came to the conclusion that, while it was very beneficial to my upbringing and my family wantes the best for me and my siblings...ultimately where i grew up was detrimental to my development in many ways.

Now i discussed this in a thread in 2014 and I was attacked even though the material of the thread was very sound and accurate.

This is what black men and women face when opening up to others about mental illness

Ridicule
criticism
feeling belittled
etc.

 

[FTBS]

No community is down for that discussion. Everybody either ignores or minimizes it or drugs themselves or their kids up. Nobody is really trying to understand and address the root causes of so many of these issues. It's too complex and thusly uncomfortable for most people.

 

[Unknown Poster]

You live in nyc? We should get up.

Yep. Right now on the bushwick/ridgewood border.

 

[Neuromancer]

Shut the fukk up, we not doing this dance woe

Hmm such profanity. I must have touched something. We can stop for today. Same time next week?

 

[sanityovar8ted]

Im actually reading a book on this subject now.

So far its been really informative and affirming for me to know Im not the only black person who struggles with these type of things...

Ive dealt with depression and anxiety for most of my adult life, and it can be really scary to try being honest and open about it with other people because theirs such a stigma attached to it, and people can often be very dismissive. Like, I tried talking to my mom about how I felt, about how I was thinking about taking medication or seeing a therapist, and she hit me with the:
"You just need to get a man, you'll be alright "
"you've always been too sensitive you just need to toughen up"
"pray on it. God'll make everything alright "

the bolded pisses me off cuz honestly if god was all that e supposedly is why am i hurting in the 1st place....fucc praying to this imaginary mf'r...bytch ass nicca gotta show me a govt issued id for me to believe in him

 

[Pier7]

Thank you...you see it. It is different. I eventually just came to the conclusion that, while it was very beneficial to my upbringing and my family wantes the best for me and my siblings...ultimately where i grew up was detrimental to my development in many ways.

Now i discussed this in a thread in 2014 and I was attacked even though the material of the thread was very sound and accurate.

I dig, I got alot of homies like you so I know ya struggles.

Me personally as a African American I can never understand why black people would want to raise their children around a whole bunch of cacs. Its gonna developmentally stunt em.

Problem is with immigrants due to racism perpetuated by American media on a global scale, they feel its better to live amongst whites than blacks when they get to this country, ignorant to the understanding and background of the intricacies of American Culture and History.

 

[Unknown Poster]

No community is down for that discussion. Everybody either ignores or minimizes it or drugs themselves or their kids up. Nobody is really trying to understand and address the root causes of so many of these issues. It's too complex and thusly uncomfortable for most people.

This is the truth.

So much pressure is on us to be functional and productive members of society that any hint of weakness is seen as unacceptable.

 

[JasonSJackson]