You sometimes think you want to disappear, but all you really want is to be found. Mental health in America is a prevalent and increasing issue that seems to go unresolved. The unanswered request for support are faced with minimal care or with a one size fits all approach. With the rise of mental health occurrences the call to action does not meet the demand. Many of us live with or know someone who suffers with mental illness, but will never know its severity. Most times those close to us suffer a mental health break and the final cry out ends in a final resting place for our dear friends; and then its just too late. The time to act is now.
Recently Kid Cudi, a famous music icon checked himself into rehab to help decrease his urges to commit suicide and cope with depression. Depression and suicide are two major mental health issues that affect millions of Americans daily. To think a celebrity, who is worth millions, and loved by the world is suicidal is a wake-up call like no other. We have experienced this before. There have been many experiences of the celebrity being lonely around the most crowded of arenas and friendless amongst the countless members of their entourage. It’s all so true that money doesn’t by happiness and the very famous experience highs and lows; and lows at a much higher degree than the average Joe. Being in control of your own life and knowing when the problem has lingered too long is one step to managing and admitting something is wrong. It takes a secure person to stand up and confront mental illness and seek the proper assistance so that tragedy doesn’t win. So why are we all afraid?
I am happy and that’s just the saddest lie. We must awaken the community. For as long as I remember, mental health was a very taboo subject in African American culture. The thought or diagnosis of one having any symptoms of stress, depression, etc was to be brought to the church for some good ole prayer and the laying of hands from saints, so that individual could be delivered. Don’t get me wrong; I love me some Jesus, but mental health requires Jesus plus treatment. Kid Cudi has now reopened the conversation about the prevalence, diagnosis, and treatment of mental illness.
He being a man of color and celebrity has many rethinking how we approach mental illness as a culture and gender. It happens and we can no longer sweep it under the rug. We have to become a culture that embraces those with mental health issues as well as encourages them to stand up and vocalize when something just don’t feel right. According to a report conducted by Lourdes Health System, Camden NJ; White respondents are more likely than Black or African American respondents to report 15-30 days of poor mental health in the past 30. What are we so afraid of? There has to be more actions taken that support individuals who experience these breaks and knowledge based conversations in urban communities where the occurrence is high, but the support is low.
Ive got some issues that nobody can see all of these emotions are pourin out of me. Mental Health Support in America is important and is in high demand. In some of the smallest of areas, the number of individuals suffering from mental illness out ranks the number of mental health professionals to support them. At times the support isn’t so local and the treatment is similar to the treatment of a cold. It lacks sympathy, patient regard, and lifelong interventions that prevent reoccurrence. We need more support! Environmental factors such as stress, poverty, homelessness, and exposure to interpersonal and community violence can influence an increasing rate of mental health problems. It’s in these communities that the supportive measures are many times not in place. We simply are not increasing the supply of medical mental health specialists to meet the nation’s mental health needs.
My heart thump not from being nervous
Sometimes I’m thinking God made me special here on purpose
So all the while ’til I’m gone make my words important so
If I slip away, if I die today the last thing you remember won’t
Be about some apple bottom jeans with the boots with the fur
Baby how I dream of being free since my birth
Cursed but the demons I confronted would disperse
Have you ever heard of some shit so real
Beyond from the heart, from the soul you can feel
And if I die before I wake, I pray the lord my soul to take
But please don’t cry, just know that I have made these songs for you
And if I die before I wake I pray the lord my soul to take
‘Cause I’m ready for a funeral
Lryics from Kid Cudi’s – The Prayer
The time to react is NOW!
Mood: Mental Illness is REAL!
SayWhatNOW?!?! 