I Press On is a movement that supports African-American women who face depression including postpartum depression. When I began talking to people about my vision, a few people questioned the direction of I Press On. I was often asked, “Why not focus on all women?”, or “Why marginalize it to only African-American women? Why not all minority women?” I respectfully listened to each concern and thought carefully about each suggestion. I thought to myself, “Maybe they have a point. Maybe I should redirect my efforts.” I must admit, there were several moments when I thought I would change my focus to be more inclusive. I mean, why not? After all, this is not a competition of “my depression is worse than yours”. But in those moments of contemplations, I remembered how helpless and alone I felt when I would go through depressive episodes. I remembered trying to talk to people about my depression, and it being completely dismissed and discounted. I remembered knowing that people within my community (African-Americans) would associate my depression with being crazy. I remembered all of my experiences and thought about how I might be of the most help, and to whom I am best equipped to help. And, since experience is said to be the best teacher, I know that my experiences would best serve those whose experiences are most like my own.
Sure I can relate to all women, but the African-American woman experience is different from the experiences of other women. Let me share three important reasons that help to frame the context of depression within the African-American community, and why African-American women who suffer from depression need particular attention.
- It’s Not That Serious
African-Americans almost always do not associate depression as a medical condition.The history of African-American culture was birthed within the institution of slavery. Slaves did not have an option as to when they would or would not work. It is possible, that with visible signs of an illness a master might allow a slave to miss performing his/her duties, but for an invisible illness, it is safe to say that a master would not understand an illness which could not be seen. Hence, when the work horn blew or work bell rang, slaves had to get up and get to work. It is easy to imagine that many slaves would have suffered from depression without a diagnosis, and/or without any sympathy being received from other slaves or masters. This behavior of getting up and moving forward with one’s day no matter how one feels is mirrored behavior passed down from generation to generation. In most instances, many African-Americans think that depression is just a normal part of day to day life that should be coped with and manage alone.
- Depression is a trick from the devil
The African-American church community thinks that depression is a mind trick of the devil. It really is difficult to explain to others who are not heavily involved within the African-American church just how taboo mental illness is. It seems that many within this community believe that depression is simply mind over matter. That maybe, those who suffer from depression do not have a proper prayer life or that they really have not learned to give all of their cares over to the Lord. It is almost as if depression is equated with a simple headache versus it being just as serious as cancer. Let’s be clear; depression can kill. It saddens me to say that the culture within the Black church is one of the factors that causes many to suffer through their depression alone.
- Who Goes to the Doctor?
African-Americans just do not go to the doctor. Statistically, African-Americans do not go to the doctor as often as Caucasians. There are African-Americans who literally walk around with aches, pains, and visible signs of illness, and still will not go to the doctor. Somehow, it is perceived that going to the doctor to confirm an illness seals one’s fate to die. I have even heard people say, “She was doing just fine until she went to the doctor.” Or, there might be financial reasons why some African-Americans do not go to the doctor. They might not have health insurance and/or cannot afford the co-pays. Most insurance carriers charge a higher copay fee the visit specialty doctors (such as psychiatrists) than they do to visit general care physicians. If it is difficult to get African-Americans to go to the doctor for physical concerns, how much more difficult might it be to have them visit a doctor regarding mental issues.
I Press On will be of assistance to anyone who seeks our support. While we look forward to working with all communities, we want others to recognize that when it comes to depression, there are those who need assistance more than others because of the negative stereotypes they have to overcome. It is up to all of us the help change these negative stereotypes; depression is serious; it is not mind over matter and we have to go to the doctor. Let’s press on together!