BY: Erica Phillips

Scary, threatening, exhausting, debilitating, invisible, embarrassing, hopeless: those are some of the words people rightly or wrongly associate with mental health problems. Two other words should be: treatable and survivable. Mental health problems — which cover a broad spectrum of conditions — are prevalent in the black community. Unfortunately, when left untreated or mistreated such problems can wreak havoc on individuals and their loved ones. They can even be fatal.

Kwasi Kafele is the director of corporate diversity at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). Based on international findings, it’s likely depression rates are much higher in African Canadian women than in white women.

“The rates of mental health problems are higher than average for African Canadian women because of general and specific anti-African gender oppression/discrimination, as well as psychological factors that result directly from their experience as African Canadians. These experiences include racism, cultural alienation, violence and sexual exploitation,” Kafele says.

Canadian statistics on just how many African Canadians suffer from mental health problems are not available. Overall though, one in five Canadians have at one time been diagnosed with a mental illness.

Mental health problems include: depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, obsessive compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, etc. Kafele says depression is the most common type of mental illness in black people. And though it’s common to feel down every so often, when depression is prolonged without any positive change, or when it starts to interfere with everyday life, then it’s time to seek professional help. There are several causes of mental health problems in black people, including social determinants such as socio-economic status and life events. Kafele says fewer than 5 per cent of mental health problems are genetic. Racism and poverty can have a substantial impact on mental health, as, among other things, they can limit social opportunities, cause feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, loss of control, fear, mistrust and despair; cause higher levels of anxiety, stress and stress-related illnesses; induce feelings of depression and thoughts of suicide; damage self-esteem; plus create a higher risk of addiction and violence.

“Racism represents a psychological assault on the sense of self,” says Kafele. “And the devaluation and demoralization that members of racialized communities experience as a result of racism often leaves them spiritually destitute, disconnected and alienated.”

Violence (as victims and perpetrators), incarceration, suicide, unemployment and school dropout rates are taking a toll on the mental health of young black men.

“We know that persistent exposure to trauma leads to increased vulnerability to mental health problems and mental disorders. The highest rates of mental health disorders are amongst African Americans in these categories of vulnerability,” says Kafele citing a report. Many black people are reluctant to seek help because of the historically poor service they’ve received. There’s also the stigma.

Treatments include counselling, medication, cognitive therapy, lifestyle modification, outpatient services, community-based programs and, in severe cases, hospitalization. Some treatments don’t work immediately so it’s important to be patient, ask questions and keep pursuing various treatments to find something culturally appropriate.

Lifestyle modifications include: eating properly, exercising regularly and doing things that boost self-confidence and create a feeling of connectedness and accomplishment.

It’s important to move beyond the stigma of mental health issues to save ourselves and each other. We are a strong and resilient people. Don’t be ashamed; it’s your body, mind and spirit. Treat them well and, when you can’t, help is available somewhere. You just have to hold your head up and reach out.