Take care. Be well.
May
is Mental Health Awareness Month and it serves as an opportunity to raise awareness and reduce stigma surrounding mental illness. Mental health issues disproportionately affect the Black community, with only 1 in 3 Black Americans receiving the mental health care they need.
Some of the common mental illnesses that affect the Black community include depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), among others. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, suicide is the third leading cause of death among Black people between the ages of 15 and 24.
To address mental health in the Black community, it's important to advocate for culturally competent mental health care services, reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, and provide education and resources for individuals and families who may be struggling. Seeking therapy or counseling, practicing self-care, and building a supportive community can also be helpful steps towards improving mental health.
.." loneliness is as dangerous as smoking 15 cigarettes a day" - Dr. Vivek Murhty U.S. Surgeon General
On May 3, 2023 the Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released a statement “Our epidemic of loneliness and isolation has been an underappreciated public health crisis that has harmed individual and societal health. Our relationships are a source of healing and well-being hiding in plain sight – one that can help us live healthier, more fulfilled, and more productive lives,” said U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy. “Given the significant health consequences of loneliness and isolation, we must prioritize building social connection the same way we have prioritized other critical public health issues such as tobacco, obesity, and substance use disorders. Together, we can build a country that’s healthier, more resilient, less lonely, and more connected.”
