Comments on: Minorities less likely to seek mental health help; local therapists cite reasons, solutions

By: dres

dres — Wed, 07 Sep 2005 01:35:18 +0000

“According to the 2000 U.S. Census Report, about 2.2 percent of the 170,000 people in Washington County are black and 8.2 percent are Hispanic. The state of ArkansasÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ Hispanic figure is 3.2 percent, while the statewide African-American percentage is 15.7 percent.

The Surgeon GeneralÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s report did mention how African-Americans, for instance, are more likely to turn to churches, friends or family than psychiatrists for help Ã¢â‚¬â€ especially a white psychiatrist. ”

I must be the only person that wants to see a psychologist, but I want to see a Black psychologist. I’ve been trying to find a Black psychologist for years. I won’t go to a White and/or non Black psychologist. I feel they don’t know about being Black, my culture, etc. I don’t feel right talking about my problems to non Black mental health professionals at all. I’ve been reading a lot of articles like this one and the only solutions to the problems are like non Black mental health professionals need to be aware of Black folks, etc. I do agree with the quotes that non Black mental health professionals can’t just relate to Black folks. My solutions to the Black mental health professional shortage is what is being done to attract Blacks into the mental health professional field? Espeically youth and college students. Since there are not enough Black mental health professionals, I don’t know what to do for myself. I feel the Black mental health professionals need to address the shortage they have.

By: rhythm

rhythm — Mon, 15 Aug 2005 17:34:44 +0000

duane, your comments re: “mentally challenged” people seem to be about the mh/mr (mentally handicapped/mentally retarded) population, whereas the article is speaking about mental illness. the two are not the same. this article is dealing with mental health issues such as depression and bipolar disorder and the stigmas related to such illnesses in the black community.

By: Keith

Keith — Thu, 11 Aug 2005 06:44:41 +0000

I personally have little to no trust in psychiatrists.

I do believe that a pastor is the best person to turn to when cousel is needed.

I do agree with you on the ‘casting out’ of deils, demons and spirits that can be witnessed in some churches. Though this would be for another topic, I submit that such churches are frauds through and through.

I’ve known many persons with mental issues, most closely my own mother-in-law.

What I took nootice of in every situation is that these particular persons were very busy filling their mind with crap (in vouge religious thought, the Celestine Prophecy for example) and had lived a life of feeling sorry for themselves because of various incidents throughout their life.

I’m not saying that no person has true mental issues, I am saying that a claim of mental illness is a very popular excuse in our America.

I know endless amounts pf persons who are on prozac and similar drugs.

Some may well need it, but most I know who take it seem to take as a way to avoid the realities of everyday life.