By: Jaeda Dixson
INDIANA– For many people, mental health issues are a common and vocalized issue but for the Black community this is easier said than done. “I wanted to give up, and I wanted it all to end right there in the moment, but I was raised to be a strong Black woman who should never take the easy way out,” said a Purdue University student, , who prefers not to be named because her family is not aware of her mental health hardships.
When Covid-19 no longer became a national emergency, many people thought society would go back to “normal”. For this Purdue student, it was only the beginning of her suicidal thoughts. Due to school work and student organizations, college became “overwhelming” for her along with being involved in an abusive relationship.
“I was alone. I had no friends and was ashamed of my situation. Depression and anxiety took over my life, and I became distant from my family, and next thing I knew, I was placed on academic probation because of my 1.8 GPA,” she said.
The concept of mental health struggles, specifically suicide, in the Black community stem from racism and lack of treatment. These issues have ultimately led Black people to have a lack of trust in the medical system for decades.
“I can remember my grandma telling me stories about how she could not get proper medical care all because of the color of her skin. She passed down those worries to her daughter and then me,” the Purdue student said. “Now imagine every other Black household in America doing that and how that impacts our views today.”
McLean is a non-profit hospital that cares for people of all ages and races while also being the largest research enterprise in the United States. According to Mass General Brigham McLean, “For example, research studies are less likely to include members of the Black population. There are also historical cases, such as the Tuskegee syphilis experiment (1932-1972), in which Black people were subjected to medical experiments without their permission.”
Although incidents similar to the Tuskegee syphilis experiment happened in the 20th century, the stigma “can be traced back to slavery” according to McLean. Some young adults in this generation are trying to end the stigma in their communities by acknowledging the troubles and talking about it openly.
A Ball State University organization called “Mentally Empowered Men,” or MEM, serves as a safe space for Black men on campus to feel safe and have a “community of love, support, and safety”. Their president, Carson Myers, studies psychology and attributes his reasoning for joining the club to trying to end the stigma in the Black community.
“Growing up, I was taught to suppress my feelings and be a man so I wouldn’t look weak to women or white people. I should not have to fake my well being just because of my gender, and I hope other Black men can learn this too,” Myers said.
LaJayaa Henderson is a junior at Ball State university and is also the vice president of an organization called “Let’s Talk About It” ,or LTA, which works to create a safe space for Black students on campus.
“I knew I wanted to make an impact on [Black] people, but I just did not know how. Suicide gets such a bad [reputation], and [Black] people look at it as such a selfish act but never take the time to understand what he or she may have been going through,” Henderson said.
According to research by the IDOH (Indiana Department of Health), from 2021-22 there was an increase of deaths by suicide in 41 counties.
In a study consisting of data from the National Survey of Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), their findings concluded that Black people are less likely to report suicidal thoughts than White people.
In addition to student organizations like MEM and LTA, there are other organizations like the Indiana Minority Health Coalition (IMHA) and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Indiana that work to provide support to those suffering from suicidal struggles.
If you or a loved one is having suicidal thoughts, call 988 or text IN to 741741 for 24/7 access to crisis counseling. For more information on IMHA and NAMI, visit their websites by clicking the links above.
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