The statistics on African American’s mental health according to NAMI African Americans | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness is... 1. Black adults in the US are more likely than white adults to report persistent symptoms of emotional distress. ntal health. This month 2. Only one in three Black adults receive mental illness treatment. mental health month. 3. Black adults living below the poverty line are more than twice as likely to report serious psychological distress than those with more financial security. I remember it was the summer of 2010. I had lost the closest person to me in my family, and he passed away unexpectedly. The pain my heart was in was indescribable. I remember passing an Enterprise car rental on the east side of town where I live, and it hit me all at once. My heart raced, I was crying uncontrollably, I was breathing heavily, I had these thoughts in my head that had never been there. I knew I had to get somewhere. I went to my Aunts house and talked with my Grandmother. I sat on the chair and shared with them what I was feeling. My Grandmother immediately said, “Dwana you are dealing with anxiety”. It was the first time I heard the word only to find out that many women in my family had anxiety as well. In my family no one went to the doctor to get medicine for this let alone talk to someone about it. I went to the doctor and made the decision to not be medicated, but I did get a therapist. I realized for the first time in 2010 that I had to take care of myself. You only get one chance at this life thing, and I wanted to do it right. Having this experience has allowed me to be a support to others who are dealing with mental illness. I know mental illness is taboo in the Black community, but it needs to be addressed. In this issue you will be introduced to Iowa’s Healthiest State and the work that is being done with the Make it OK campaign which is focusing on Black mental health. Let’s start to take care of one another, support each other, and Make it OK to focus and talk about our mental health. Blessings, Dwana Bradley
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