For a human being to be fully functional in daily activities, he or she has to be sound in all 8 dimensions of wellness: physical, social, financial, vocational, emotional, spiritual, intellectual and environmental. Some human beings are functional in their day-to-day activities without being sound in all areas of wellness. When these dimensions of wellness in a person are not well maintained, such individual run on fumes like a car that has not had an oil change in a long time.
The fast-paced nature of the world today makes it hard to maintain all those dimensions of wellness especially right now with the pandemic of coronavirus which currently has affected over 15 million people globally. Though this pandemic seems a significant issue that affects humanity, there is also another pandemic that has been a chronic terror in the black community. That is police brutality on black men and women. Police brutality and other effects of racism on black people for so long has crippled our progress as a people.
Black people have endured over 400 years of slavery and till date still get maltreated and killed because of their melanated skin. The last death that sparked protests in America and around the globe, was that of George Floyd. Another gruesome murder of yet another black man at the end of a policeman that opened up the eyes of more people to the existential crisis of the black community. The culminative effects of these maltreatments is responsible for the imbalance in wellness of a significant number of black people.
Over the years, I have made the case that black people have prominent mental health issues that they deal with, some more than others. While some black people are able to deal with their mental health issues adequately, others do a patchwork on those issues (i.e realise there is a problem but choose a diversion to avoid it and hope it goes away) while many are in denial that they have mental health issues. The last two groups are that way because black culture paints mental health issues as taboo or something "unblack" and as such causes lots of black people to run away from the truth of the possibility of dealing with mental health abnormalities. It is only logical to state that the after effects of slavery, racism and the current maltreatment of black people account for the culprits of the mental health issues that affect black people. And, rightfully so because at the end of the day, black people are human beings with feelings and emotions. If we lived in fantasies, I would say that racism and the ill treatment of black people will end tomorrow but reality says otherwise.
You may ask, what are some mental health abnormalities that black people may experience that could be related to the racism that we deal with on a daily basis. Well some of them are disconnectedness, loneliness, feelings of mistrust, doubt, worry, anger outbursts, nightmares, traumas, insecure feelings, depression, anxiety, panic/fear, existential questioning and decreased hope.
The smart thing for black people to do right now is to engage in activities that aid or provide solutions or strategies to address any mental health issues present in their lives. Although black people run away from therapy, that may seem like an important tool that is needed for the issue of mental health. Other activities that may yield positive outcomes can include but not limited to meditation, reflection and journal keeping. In terms of therapy, I will recommend a black therapist because for someone to assist you in a journey to recovery, it makes sense to go with someone who understands the pain in the shoe you wear.
Although, the struggle is real right now, there is hope of triumph. Though the night may be so dark right now, there sure seems to be a dawn breaking forth. For eons, we have been oppressed, beaten down and persecuted. However, as a phoenix, we rise. With the dawning of each day, we become better, stronger and wiser.
Instagram: innatelycrowned
The fast-paced nature of the world today makes it hard to maintain all those dimensions of wellness especially right now with the pandemic of coronavirus which currently has affected over 15 million people globally. Though this pandemic seems a significant issue that affects humanity, there is also another pandemic that has been a chronic terror in the black community. That is police brutality on black men and women. Police brutality and other effects of racism on black people for so long has crippled our progress as a people.
Black people have endured over 400 years of slavery and till date still get maltreated and killed because of their melanated skin. The last death that sparked protests in America and around the globe, was that of George Floyd. Another gruesome murder of yet another black man at the end of a policeman that opened up the eyes of more people to the existential crisis of the black community. The culminative effects of these maltreatments is responsible for the imbalance in wellness of a significant number of black people.
Over the years, I have made the case that black people have prominent mental health issues that they deal with, some more than others. While some black people are able to deal with their mental health issues adequately, others do a patchwork on those issues (i.e realise there is a problem but choose a diversion to avoid it and hope it goes away) while many are in denial that they have mental health issues. The last two groups are that way because black culture paints mental health issues as taboo or something "unblack" and as such causes lots of black people to run away from the truth of the possibility of dealing with mental health abnormalities. It is only logical to state that the after effects of slavery, racism and the current maltreatment of black people account for the culprits of the mental health issues that affect black people. And, rightfully so because at the end of the day, black people are human beings with feelings and emotions. If we lived in fantasies, I would say that racism and the ill treatment of black people will end tomorrow but reality says otherwise.
You may ask, what are some mental health abnormalities that black people may experience that could be related to the racism that we deal with on a daily basis. Well some of them are disconnectedness, loneliness, feelings of mistrust, doubt, worry, anger outbursts, nightmares, traumas, insecure feelings, depression, anxiety, panic/fear, existential questioning and decreased hope.
The smart thing for black people to do right now is to engage in activities that aid or provide solutions or strategies to address any mental health issues present in their lives. Although black people run away from therapy, that may seem like an important tool that is needed for the issue of mental health. Other activities that may yield positive outcomes can include but not limited to meditation, reflection and journal keeping. In terms of therapy, I will recommend a black therapist because for someone to assist you in a journey to recovery, it makes sense to go with someone who understands the pain in the shoe you wear.
Although, the struggle is real right now, there is hope of triumph. Though the night may be so dark right now, there sure seems to be a dawn breaking forth. For eons, we have been oppressed, beaten down and persecuted. However, as a phoenix, we rise. With the dawning of each day, we become better, stronger and wiser.
Instagram: innatelycrowned
This was a good read!! I wish my people took mental health serious and sought out professional help more often. Counseling and therapy are very helpful- especially when you have the right doctor.
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