Going Mental
I could probably write about the issues presented in the movie "Precious" for the rest of the year. Today's topic is mental illness in the black community. How does mental illness differ in the black community than others? Primarily the fact that there is a stigma attached to being counseled by someone other than clergy. Now, this isn't a singularly black issue, however it is one of the factors that contributes to the high number of untreated and undiagnosed cases of mental ill individuals in our cities and towns.
Mary (played by Mo'Nique) had the classic symptoms of a mentally ill person in "Precious." She suffered from clinical depression and seemingly a form of paranoid schitzophrenia. This was evident by the fact that she sat in a dark house, curtains drawn day after day with the TV on as she smoked her cigarettes and playing numbers that she would send Precious out to get for every day. She had no friends or close relationships and was devoid of any feeling other than anger. It is said that anger turned inward is depression. This was Mary.
Some people blame the problem on the lack of proper health care. Others blame it on the legacy of slavery and segregation. Still others blame it on organized religion which purports that Jesus is the answer. And while Jesus is indeed the answer, we need to recognize the signs of mental illness among ourselves and deal with it accordingly.
If someone is suffering from a physical dis-ease wouldn't we want to help? How is someone suffering from a mental dis-ease any different? One way to protect our 'Precious' children from being harmed by those charged with loving and caring for them is to address the root of the problem.
Free your mind and the rest will follow.
For help with dealing with depression or other mental illnesses visit: NAMI
Mary (played by Mo'Nique) had the classic symptoms of a mentally ill person in "Precious." She suffered from clinical depression and seemingly a form of paranoid schitzophrenia. This was evident by the fact that she sat in a dark house, curtains drawn day after day with the TV on as she smoked her cigarettes and playing numbers that she would send Precious out to get for every day. She had no friends or close relationships and was devoid of any feeling other than anger. It is said that anger turned inward is depression. This was Mary.
Some people blame the problem on the lack of proper health care. Others blame it on the legacy of slavery and segregation. Still others blame it on organized religion which purports that Jesus is the answer. And while Jesus is indeed the answer, we need to recognize the signs of mental illness among ourselves and deal with it accordingly.
If someone is suffering from a physical dis-ease wouldn't we want to help? How is someone suffering from a mental dis-ease any different? One way to protect our 'Precious' children from being harmed by those charged with loving and caring for them is to address the root of the problem.
Free your mind and the rest will follow.
For help with dealing with depression or other mental illnesses visit: NAMI
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