TW : suicide , depression , trauma , medication

I remember being in 10th grade, at one of my lowest of lows, and I asked my mom if I could get therapy because I knew something was wrong mentally. She made me feel like I was crazy, that I just needed to pray #BreakTheBlackStigma

There were times I would have full blown anxiety attacks and some of my family would gaslight me as if it was all my fault. All of this stemmed from a very traumatic experience of mine from when I was 8. I knew it, but was too young to articulate it well.

It took me until college to actually see a counselor after a really dark period of my life. I was diagnosed with depression, anxiety, and PTSD. But even still, the medical professionals when I admitted myself seemed to not take my concerns seriously.

Because I didn’t fit the “typical” standards of mental illness, I definitely received less than par treatment. I told them the medication I took wasn’t helping. They didn’t listen.

Now, I’m 21. Still living with all these diagnoses, no treatment, no medication. I still have a general distrust of healthcare professionals because they don’t seem to know how to navigate black mental health. I almost felt like an experiment.

We need to destigmatize black mental health. From within our communities to people who are supposed to help treat us. I should be able to feel comfortable getting the help I need instead of feeling like I have to figure it all out myself. #BreakTheBlackStigma