• Myth #3: “If our people made it through slavery then we can make it through anything.”
Most important to this new understanding is how we define race. The National Survey of American Life found that race alone is not a predictor of physical or mental health outcomes. Other factors like where you live, your income, and your education may play significant roles. For example, white Americans who experience similar life events to black Americans are just as likely to practice the same unhealthy coping skills, consequently presenting with similar health outcomes. From this perspective, it is easier to understand why some prevention programs fail at achieving their goals given that African Americans are a diverse group with a variety of cultural practices.
What does this all mean for you?
It seems we now have to consider mental health as inextricably linked to physical health and vice versa. This includes an honest assessment of coping skills and daily functioning. Questions that probe this connection are necessary to avoid possible “blind spots” in our evaluations of others and ourselves. Likewise, we can no longer look at race and make blanket assumptions about how someone should manage or take care of themselves. Going to church, while helpful to some, will not work for everyone.
Building on our inherent resilience is a good start. If you understand that the strength of a people depends on their ability to cultivate new skills and seek the support of others, then you are absolutely right!
For more mental health articles, visit the BlackDoctor.org Mental Health center.
Dr. Anissa Moody is a psychologist and educator in New York City. She has published papers and given talks on the practice of mental hygiene and the social constructions of race, health, and gender among many topics. By sharing her expertise on current topics, Dr. Moody aims to raise awareness of mental health and highlight the importance of mental hygiene in enriching people’s lives. If you have questions or comments about this article, Tweet her @frameofmind.
Black Mental Health: 3 Myths That Hurt Us was originally published on blackdoctor.org
