By Lucy McBride, MD — 2021
The pandemic has stripped our emotional reserves even further, laying bare our unique physical, social, and emotional vulnerabilities.
Read on www.theatlantic.com
CLEAR ALL
Our culture has taught us that we do not have the privilege of being vulnerable like other communities.
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A few months and many deaths ago, I woke up exhausted, again. Every morning, I felt like I was rebuilding myself from the ground up. Waking up was hard. Getting to my desk to write was hard. Taking care of my body was hard. Remembering the point of it all was hard.
So many of the little rituals I have each day—like my makeup or skincare routine—do help soothe and/or rejuvenate me. For me, any type of solo practiced routine is good. But I’ve learned that self-care does not, and cannot, sustain me. And I believe that this may be the case for many of you.
Expectations surrounding Black masculinity, such as the requirement to be strong and stoic, have often prevented Black men from seeking mental health care. But it's possible to overcome this reluctance and make mental wellness a priority.
“Even with these health consequences, we can see the benefits of taking a stand because people are fighting for what they believe in and protecting people’s lives,” Sumner said. “I don’t think the answer is to stop altogether. It speaks to how critical it is to engage in self-care.
Activism burnout is particularly rife among Black racial justice activists, not only because they are fighting a centuries-old fight, but they’re also experiencing something called racial battle fatigue.
Receiving a new mental health diagnosis can be a difficult time. To support our folks navigating new diagnosis, we have compiled a collection of resources, tools and links that can help you navigate insurance, finding a therapist, understanding medication and much more.
Here are helpful ways to find support and make your mental wellbeing a top priority.
What happens at the intersection of mental health and one’s experience as a member of the Black community?
The Black community is more inclined to say that mental illness is associated with shame and embarrassment. Individuals and families in the Black community are also more likely to hide the illness.
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