Let’s be real, fam. Even if we see the numbers and understand how our mental health is impacted by factors outside our control… there are barriers within our own community making it feel impossible to actually go get help. Time to air those out
Those “Harmless” Phrases We Gotta Retire You’ve heard them, we’ve ALL heard them, maybe said them:
- “Therapy is for white people”: Yikes. Dismisses that our unique experiences need culturally specific care.
- “You just need to pray harder” – Faith is part of who many of us are, but minimizing emotional pain or writing off therapy like it’s some moral defect is wrong.
- “Don’t air our dirty laundry”: Generational hush-hush mindset born from needing to survive brutal times…but in 2024? That silence only lets problems fester.
How Stigma HURTS Us
- Makes folks wait until crisis before getting help – which makes things even worse long-term.
- Shame about having these problems at all when EVERYONE gets stressed, overwhelmed, and hurting sometimes – that’s human.
- Isolates us – cutting us off from the very support structures that could make us even stronger as we figure things out.
Strength ISN’T Always What We Think Our ancestors? Masters of resilience in unspeakable circumstances. But resilience ISN’T always sucking it up alone. Let’s rewrite the definition:
- Strength: Recognizing needing help to face mental burdens so we CAN thrive on all levels.
- Strength: Honoring ancestors by demanding a healthcare system that serves us right, instead of expecting we adapt to one rigged against us.
- Strength: Talking openly, being a role model who defies expectations – THAT’s how we create generational change.
We Don’t Walk Alone…Even When it Feels That Way It’s gonna take more than blog posts…it’s building trustful friendships, holding uncles with those old-school mindsets accountable, showing up for therapy even when it’s messy. Healing happens IN community, NOT despite it.
Next Time: Your Roadmap Out of the Stigma Trap We’re giving space to the hard truth here, because denying stigma exists hurts us. Next up, let’s get practical! Ways to speak to someone pushing those toxic ideas, resources if you’re questioning IF that step to getting help is worth it… we’re navigating that together.
Your Voices What’s ONE phrase you’re tired of hearing about mental health? Tell us below – maybe the community can offer up better replacements 💪🏾🧠✊🏿✊🏽✊🏾💪🏿
