July is National Minority Mental Health Month

It sucks to be white and have an opinion or dare voice it.

With all due respect, NOTHING you've said so far has been on topic. Not one single post. If you have anything to say on the topic, we'll gladly discuss it. If you wanna talk about your birthday, you're free to do so in your own thread but don't expect it to be well-received in a thread about mental illness.

What a sorry, pathetic attempt at playing the race card. No one said "white people stay out" and the person you quoted hasn't offered one single opinion on the topic. He mentioned his birthday. If you can show one post of his that's on-topic, hell even one that's an actual valid opinion, I'll apologize to both of you and demand NJ to do the same. That bullshit about "sucks to be white and have an opinion" is the most ridiculous post I've read all day. Thinking before you post will spare you moments like this where your asshole is revealed.

Go back and read the posts written by white people that were....say it with me: ON TOPIC, they didn't encounter any trouble. The only two people who have been called out were someone who's posts were off topic, and someone who said they're sick of hearing about minority problems.

Your only post in this thread is left-field, irrelevant, OFF-TOPIC and unfounded. Whatever your grievance with minorities is since it's clear that you do have one, take it elsewhere cuz this thread isn't white vs. black. If you want a "the mean minorities won't let the white man talk" thread I'll start one for you. All we were asking for here was valid, intelligent thoughts.

Good luck with your next post, my advice: think first, type last.

None of these are my views. Just look at me as the Socrates of this shit, ya know , just putting it out there for all to see...a la the late great Tim Russert.

Institutional racism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Race and health - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

White privilege - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Health disparities - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

...and this one is teh best

Ethnic bioweapon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I had no idea that this was National Minority Mental Health month. First of all, thanks NJQT466 for posting such an thought provoking thread. Mental health is an issue well worth discussing and especially how it effects us all. This issue is a hot topic where I live. A number of mentally ill persons have died over the past year and a half and all happened while encountering law enforcement. In addition, all deaths happened after families contacted local authorities. For example, three Black males, one Hispanic male, one White female, two White males and one Asian male were shot, tasered, or committed suicide after law enforcement intervened. In the majority of these cases law enforcement personnel admitted that they had limited experience in how to properly deal with the mentally ill.

I cannot speak for the rest of the U.S., but Texas ranks almost last in the care of the mentally ill. The majority of those who finally go in for treatment are either incorrectly diagnosed or received little to no care. A number of them were even dumped out on the street after maybe being hospitalized for 30 day, given a prescription for medication, and a couple of follow up appointments.

This month is just a way of bringing attention to the problem of mental health care for minorities. Even though mental health crosses all lines, there are documented discrepancies when comparing access to mental health care among different ethnic groups. This issue becomes more difficult due to economics, attitudes among ethnic groups, plus sexism, discrimination due to sexual orientation, and racism in health care.

Black, Hispanic, and Asian communities have a long standing distrust of the health care system and many time will rely on faith based organizations or friends and family to combat mental illness. In addition, many of our poor, no matter the ethnic background, are left with little to no help with mental health issues.

NJQT466 was correct that mental illness is still a taboo subject in the Black community. However, it seems that some of the subsequent posts assumed that she was try to make this a Black's only issue. That's is not true. She just happened to reach from her own experience. Hopefully this act will encourage more to share their own experiences soon.

If possible, could we please the topic? I personally do not have a mental illness but I have had some friends and family that do. I would like to get more information so I may get a greater understanding of this issue and possibly help someone I love. Thanks.

Amen sister!

My own mother did the same to me when I went to see a therapist. They take it personally. Prayer is not necessarily going to cure you of diabetes, heart disease, or high blood pressure but black people will acknowledge that!

I think so many feel that we already have enough strikes against us so we dont want to officially "claim" mental illness when it comes our way. But dont we try to use everyone as our group therapy? You can not tell me "Keepin' it real" isnt an excuse to go undiagnosed and inflict personal suffering on others. "Sapphire" as she is manifested is nothing more than a clinically depressed black woman who doesnt have the time or the opportunity to stop long enough to take care of business. So, who suffers? EVERYONE around her. Her anger, tiredness, and critical nature are legendary. She has to keep going because there is no one there to pick her up .

I had to enlighten someone a while ago about many of the homelesss people they see on the street. On the surface what they think they are seeing are your garden variety winos and drug addicts. Look a little closer and you may see someone who is schizophrenic in need of medication attempting to medicate his or herself.

I would hazard to guess that much of the prison population if screened would show a variety of mental illnesses and personality disorders who have gone unchecked for years.


I am sure that there are many folks from other cultures who suffer similarly but there is an epidemic of shame denial and bad health care in the minority communities which only exaccerbate the problem.

all good point for sure but just having something or someone to believe in is a great help in pulling yourself out of a depression. Something else to think about besides how miserable you feel.

Sorry I used the you word and was using it in a general aspect not pointing fingers

That certainly would make sense for a normal person, but we're talking about the mentally ill. Having something to believe in is a placebo for them. They need real help, not catchy mottos and mantras.