Walking Wounded
With all that has been going on with the pandemic, injustice with racism, and unplanned interruptions, it is enough for anyone to say “I Am Not Okay”.
Has the stress of life been overwhelming you? Finding yourself saying “Enough is Enough?” Tired of the cycle of racism? It is time to reclaim your mental health.
WHO AM I? A Child of God, A Black Woman, A Daughter, A Sister, An Aunt, A Wife, A Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), and A Friend. I am expected to keep silent because I am black. Too often we feel like we can’t speak out, because of fear. However, I have been on a mission to let my voice be heard, in order to educate and elevate other young black people.
Black and Uncomfortable
Too often we become uncomfortable for being black, or for just being who we are. Black people are often told to “stay in your lane/stay at the back” or “Be seen and Not Heard.” People might be offended by your qualifications, and the expectations are either set too high or too low. Stop being uncomfortable and embrace who you are. People will always have things to say about you. However, it is how you respond makes a difference. Don’t respond with silence but actions. If you are tired of feeling uncomfortable, do something about it. "People start to heal the moment they feel heard" - Cheryl Richardson
Wounded Behaviours
You are walking wounded when you mute your feelings and emotions. Give Yourself Permission to Feel. It’s Okay Not to be Okay. If you are angry, embrace that anger, but choose to release it in a healthy way.
You are walking wounded when you have the fear of living in your own skin. It appears that it has become even more problematic now to look black. Bob Marley reminded us to emancipate ourselves from mental slavery. In order to do that, we have to believe in ourselves and zone out negativity. Embrace your moral values and find your purpose in life. “You don’t make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas.”-Shirley Chisholm
Racism and Mental health
Stop living your life in another man’s shadow. Too often black people have been emotionally abused, and negative words and thoughts replay in our minds telling us we are not good enough.
The Black Community is being bombarded by existential questioning, pondering on how the world can be so cruel. The media continues to circulate images of black people hurting and the various injustices towards blacks. You close your eyes and open them up, and the issues continue. The system is created for us to believe there is no way of escaping this. However, that’s the wrong mindset. We need to start having a more positive mindset of our own.
It appears that slavery is repeating itself, presenting itself in different forms. The Black Community have had to deal with the stigma of mental illness for far too long. Black Mental Health is important too, so it is time the stigma is broken. If we can’t make healing contagious, then we are tearing each other down as opposed to building each other up. “Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for building others up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29 WMB
Fear Cripples Us, and Paralyze us from making any actions. The impact of racism on Mental Health leaves The Black Community with; a decrease in hope, decrease trust, increased risk of anxiety and depression, feeling disconnected and lonely, increased trauma, panic, worry and feelings of powerlessness.
Don’t let fear be a bully, but overcome fear with faith. Faith is realistic and fear is unproductive. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” Let’s stop hitting the snooze button on the Racism Alarms. 2020 is a time to act and move forward taking Actions.
