I told my grandmother that I started to going to therapy when I used to go a while ago, and the first thing she asked was,
“What do you need therapy for?”
I come from a background where family figures I admire don’t trust mental health professionals. I also come from a background where going to a professional is encouraged. But the side that doesn’t approve of therapy intimidated me the most and affected me the most.
Just because one may experience depression and/or anxiety in their life, doesn’t have a direct correlation with their prayer life or spiritual life if they identify as a religious person. It doesn’t mean they aren’t trying hard enough to be rid of their personal pains. It doesn’t mean that they love God any less.
There is still this misconception in the black community where mental issues, or basically any personal issues for that matter, are white issues. We don’t want to be perceived as more wrong than we already are as black people. Which is why mental health is so taboo to talk about in the black community.
That doesn’t make it okay to not seek professional help when necessary and when you are absolutely able. It definitely doesn’t make it okay to tell others that they should not seek help.
We often hear from other black people that we should pray about it instead of going to therapy. But what is wrong with doing both?
[For more of this story, written by Maya Williams, go to http://thetempest.co/2016/07/1...ed-to-go-to-therapy/]
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