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In the African American community the idea of being mentally ill is weird — better yet, a conversation about your mental health is rare. We often believe that whatever we are going through will pass or is just a “phase,”. Â As many of us take the leap into adulthood we must learn how to communicate our problems because you could be battling something bigger than you.
Many African Americans struggle with recognizing the symptoms and signs of different health conditions and often deny the reality of what could be. This is a result of the lack of education on what mental health is; mental health is the regard to your emotional well-being. As you begin your journey of building your brand your emotional well-being is, without a doubt, a necessity.
Here are few common mental illnesses that are familiar in both the African American and college community:
Depression Â
Depression is described as a continuous feeling of sadness or loss of interest in activities, it is the most common illness and impacts the person’s daily life.
Symptoms include:
- Extreme sadness
- Changes in sleep habits (sleeping more, more frequently, difficulty sleeping)
- Changes in appetite (loss of appetite or overeating)
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Feeling hopeless/powerless
- Trouble concentrating/paying attention Â
Anxiety:
Anxiety is characterized by feelings of intense worrying or fear.
Symptoms include:
- Stress that’s out of proportion to the impact of the event
- Constant worrying
- Restlessness
- Irritability
- Racing thoughts/unwanted thoughts
- Insomnia
- Poor concentration
Addiction:
Addiction is a compulsive use of substances (alcohol, marijuana, nicotine) or activities (sex, gambling, shopping) that can be pleasurable, momentarily.
Symptoms include:
- Unable to limit use of a substance/activity
- Craving/ feeling pressure to use
- Constant use of the drug/activity
- Attempts to stop usage result in withdrawal symptoms (irritability, shakes, nausea)
**People who have developed an addiction may not be aware that their behavior is out of control and causing problems for themselves and others**
I’m not here to diagnose anyone, but if symptoms are apparent in you, or a friend, there are resources on campus that are willing to give a helping hand. Being mentally ill does not make you “crazy” and seeking help does not make you “weak”. Don’t ever be afraid to reach out for help; you can visit:
Hampton University Student Counseling Center Armstrong-Slater Building 2nd Floor
Hampton, VA 23668 Phone: 757.727.5617 Fax: 757-637-2375
Email: studentcounseling@hamptonu.edu Hours: M – F 8 am to 5 pm
For after-hours emergencies, please call University police at 757.727.5666
Or check out these sites for more info: Â http://www.bestcolleges.com/resources/top-5-mental-health-problems-facing-college-students/
https://www.nami.org/Find-Support/Diverse-Communities/African-Americans
https://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/addiction Â
Just know you’re never alone!