Not Recession Proof

White America as a whole has a much healthier attitude towards depression - since so many of them are now on anti-depressants and going to therapy; especially in the last twenty years. And now with the economy continuing to tank, mental health professionals have seen a marked increase in people seeking help.

But, there is still a stigma against many of us in the black community who admits to taking medication or being in therapy. Many of us still view a depressed black woman or man as being weak, having a lack of faith in God, or just plain crazy. Depression or mental illness are still seen as a white man's disease.

I am frightened to think how little resources we have in the black community when it comes to getting the help we need and how those resources are probably strained or have been decreased because of this recession. I'm sure that many of us who can't afford medication or therapy are probably resorting to self - medicating with food, drugs, and or alcohol to deal with our financial, career, and family issues that impact us emotionally, psychologically, mentally, physically, and spiritually.