John Galt, a physician and medical director of the Eastern Lunatic Asylum in Williamsburg, Virginia., hypothesized that enslaved African could not develop mental illness because enslaved people did not own property nor could vote, among several other things, during that era. Though this was offered in 1848, it’s still a stigma the black community struggles with erasing.
With this hypothesis individuals who were seen as, at risk, were primarily those who resided in areas that are exposed to profit making; wealthy white men. While Africans were assumed to be immune from experiencing mental illness, it didn’t negate the fact the hypothesis was not only incorrect but biased.
Before we go down the rabbit hole of why and how. According to the World Health Organization, one in four people struggle with a mental illness at some point during their lives.
The stigma John Galt created by his hypothesis; some can agree it was instilled into the minds of African Americans. This then created barrier around access to treatment due to its roots in historical factors and systemic racism. Reluctant to seek care is also rooted in the distrust of the medical distrust or being judged by peers.
Why? During the 400 years African American were enslaved, many only had religion to rely on. Due to this phenomenon, it permeates many African American communities thus creating a conflict between fiction and religion. Those who reach out for help are often frowned upon.
Ruth White, a Clinic Associate Professor who specializes in stress management says, “Most of the pushback against seeking treatment stems from ideas along the lines of: we have survived so much adversity and now someone is going to say there’s something wrong with us?”.
Living in a small town, one could only assume the lack of care for mental health. Places like Elberton, Georgia are a direct target for these inconveniences. Daviis Harper, former high-school foot player and now construction worker, shares many concerns he’s faced with opening up about several concussions he’s experienced, as well as the pressure from the outside world to succeed as an African American man.
“Most people don’t understand that I’ve been told that I wouldn’t live past 45 years old”, Harper was a defensive end for JV Football for the Blue Devils at Elberton County High.
While driving home, Harper crashed into a deer which resulted in a near fatal car accident. Still living with shards of glass in his skull, the late football player says “I’ve had several concussions which resulted in many hospital trips and ultimately dismissed me from any future sports involvement. From then on, the pressure to succeed in a town where many don’t make it out, placed extreme weight on my shoulders.”
While the U.S. is considered a highly religious nation, African Americans are markedly more religious than the U.S. population as a whole. When asked does this mean anything, Harper shares “Religion helps those who experience the help… but for the rest of us. When praying isn’t enough, then what? Suicide is real. It can happen when you’re depressed, angry, feeling misunderstood. If praying doesn’t erase that pain, then what? The sad truth is nobody has ever answered this question for me.”
With mental health awareness rising to combat the stigmas. It’s clear that the negative effects stigmas bring hinder any possibility of finding the right and necessary treatment. With more studies done, we learn more, but the lingering questions is how do we help right now? How do we prevent future stigmas from permeating the African American community?
An innovative way to help is understanding where stigmas come from to decipher its impact and historical factors, like for example John Galt. Hearing information isn’t the same as doing research to find its origin. This helps erase any potential doubt that can push someone away from seeking care.
Speaking up in the African American community, at times, can be overlooked. Whereas one person may see it as brave and forthcoming, it’s been proven within the African American community that it can also be deemed as weak. Remain diligent in your delivery, being open about experiences you or someone else has faced, with permission, can help break up the barriers surrounding treatment.
It’s easy to think someone is out of their mind, but with good consideration. Evaluate with the given knowledge and familiarize yourself with different kinds of mental illnesses so that if a concern is brought to you, your mind can be open. Believing a person goes a long way when someone who’s suffering from a mental illness reaches out for help, as it can be a vulnerable moment.
For more information on mental health, more specifically within the African American community, you can visit https://beam.community/get-help-now/
Leave a Reply