By Jazz Paz It is no coincidence that the month of new year’s resolutions is the month of mental health awareness, especially for Black and brown people. Sixty-seven percent of Texans declared themselves to be African American or brown in the 2020 national census. In these communities self-care is often seen as self-indulgence rather than urgently necessary. When expressions of emotional distress are taboo, they become difficult to recognize and admit to. Too many individuals experience a mental health diagnosis as a label that implies a weakness. Being a “strong person” encourages victory in athletics and other physical successes, but not in activities that promote emotional or mental growth, especially for men. According to the National Institute of Health, Black and brown people are twice as prone to depression. anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder than whites, and that racism, discrimination, and poverty all contribute to psychological disorders. These burdens foster the temptation to unwisely hide our mental struggles to defend against further bigotry, especially since the media (like, Silence of the Lambs or the Joker), flaunt mental impairment through characters that are dangerous, crazy, murderers. An exacerbating contributor to mental stress is that helpful resources can be difficult to obtain when people lack health insurance, work irregular schedules, or are without reliable transportation, but relief exists for those who su er. The Hope Line (832-831-7337) at the Hope and Healing Center offers free 30-minute peer counseling over the phone as well as free support for adults (https://hopeandhealingcenter.org/). e Harris Center for Mental Health (24/7 crisis line 713- 970-7000; toll-free 866-970-4770) serves those with or without legal status, in English and in Spanish, and can provide transportation (https:// www.theharriscenter. org/). If you need immediate suicide or mental health support or are worried about someone else, call or text 988. If you are called upon to assist a friend or family member besieged by distress, recommend that they get or continue seeing a professional advocate as well as: • Listen to them. Empathize. Avoid judgment, just be a safe understanding hearer Remind the person of their inherent worth and […]
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