Below is a link to an article I found on Blackdoctor.org. This seems a fitting post when looking at my previous post yesterday. The article is about mental health and how there is little information in regards to mental health treatment and best practices in black communities.

In the article Dr. Carl Bell (CEO and president of the Community Health Council and director of the Institute for Juvenile Research at the University of Illinois in Chicago) says, “It’s really hard getting mental health services in black communities.These services are a scarcity, because there is no consideration for poor people with mental illnesses…Bell says there is little to no research on how to properly treat blacks suffering from schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, drug and substance abuse, and other mental illnesses, mainly because no one has devoted time to understanding the social and cultural issues affecting poor black communities.”

I’ve bolded for emphasis on what stood out to me. Last night I went to my mother’s house for dinner. I was talking about my beliefs in systematic racism and policy, to which she just nodded. Her boyfriend on the other hand laughed. His beliefs and perceptions are polar opposite to mine. But for those that don’t believe, all they have to do it look (which I said to him).

The policies of health and healthcare that affects minorities and underprivileged communities are continuously cut or not even given thought. The communities are under represented in the government and their voices are often not heard. Sadly, many times they don’t even speak up. I know many people might say, that is exactly the problem. But that’s not entirely true. There are scholars and doctors and numerous people who are fighting for these rights and yet they too are unheard. If they (the “respected”) aren’t even heard how are the “lowest” on the totem pole going to be heard? And so, many don’t try. This too I can understand… sometimes after trying and trying and failing and failing there comes a point where there is no fight left in a person. For all of those that feel defeated I am speaking up. THIS MUST CHANGE!

This systematic racism and discrimination MUST stop. The purposeful actions of harm by those with the clout to change discriminatory policies must stop. I read in an unrelated book (Hip Hop Wars by Tricia Rose) a very powerful statement, “profit over people”. This idea of profit over people and rights of ALL people must stop.

What is democracy when only some people have it?
notjustmythoughts

Article on blackdoctor.org: http://blackdoctor.org/news/article/Mental_Health/Why_Black_America_s_Battle_With_Mental_Health_Is_Failing.aspx

UPDATE: this got me thinking… a few years ago someone I know stabbed a 9 year old boy to death over a video game. This person was in and out of the mental health clinics in NYC from a young child. Due to the lack of care in the community, he was continuously released. He is now in prison for committing murder. Prison, he should not be. I don’t believe he should be “free” either (I’ve used quotes around free because truthfully, was he ever free? His whole life he was burdened with mental conflict and instability and the country that promotes freedom and equality failed him by not allowing him proper care). But [instead of prison] he should be in an institution tending to his illness rather than caged. People believe he is a monster and I’ll leave you to your opinions. I have my own and while I don’t think he was right, not by any means, this person is a sick individual and should not have been in a situation to harm anyone. He should have been given a chance at life BEFORE this incident by recieving the mental help he needed and deserved. He is the one punished, when the community and government failed him (and the family he harmed). Where is their [those that cut funding and don’t even care about the mental health in poor communities] punishment?

notjustmythoughts