It came as no surprise to George Smith when a report released this week said there were significant increases in antidepressant use across all sociodemographic groups except African Americans."There are still negative stereotypes for blacks who seek mental health support, whether it's from a psychologist, a psychiatrist or from the church,'' says Smith, a Chicago psychologist. "We have to overcome these negative stereotypes through education. Most, if not all, mental health conditions are treatable. Options available include medication and talk therapy. Both work.''
In 2005, 27 million people were prescribed an antidepressant, according to the 'Archives of General Psychiatry' report . That is about a 10 percent leap from 1996 when about 6 percent or 13 million people received prescriptions. Additionally, almost half of the prescriptions were to help patients manage chronic pain and handle sleep difficulties, the study says.
But just because the community does not use antidepressants does not mean there is not a problem. Blacks had higher rates of depression (8 percent) than whites (4.8 percent), according to a study conducted during 2005 and 2006 by Laura A. Pratt and Debra J. Brody for the Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Smith, who works on the South Side of Chicago, including Englewood, one of the most troubled neighborhoods in nation, attributes the low usage of antidepressants in the black community to a number of reasons: a lack of health insurance, a misunderstanding of mental health issues and fear of the medication. Further, some people reject the use of antidepressants because of religious or personal beliefs.Many also may be concerned about health risks. A loud public outcry led the Food and Drug Administration in 2004 to add a "black box warning'' that the drugs could increase suicidal thoughts in children.
He said cost also is a barrier for some families and individuals. He applauded President Barack Obama's health care reform measure.
"It will give people, who weren't able to afford it before, more access to mental health treatment," Smith said. "We have to tackle this in two ways, give people access that wasn't there because of financial barriers and then educate them about the importance of maintaining their mental health. No one is judging them.''
Comments: (12)
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By: Dendrea on 8/13/2009 5:03PM
We get free talk therapy, because we look out & talk to each other. White folks have to pay for that, & buy the pills.
Another perk of being Black! Someone's always got your back. How lucky?
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By: Mookm988 on 8/15/2009 12:09AM
You know as a black woman I wish I felt the same way as you do but I don't. Being around blacks all my life has caused me to be depressed because of always putting one another down, there is no such thing as having one another 's back except to kill you or rob you. Many blacks in the U.S. need to be on some type of antideppresant but are afraid of what other blacks are going to think of them so they turn to other damaging things like drugs, alcohol and even abusing themselves. You have blacks walking around on streets that are crazy out their minds and don't trust anybody, these people need medication. You talk this talk but I guarantee you if you saw one of these crazy black persons near you, you would not have their back, you would run as fast as you could to get away from them,saying they are crazy. Stop putting misleading things on here because people actually read the comments made.You should be suggesting that they seek help or that their families get them help because there is no such thing as all blacks being normal.
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By: Dendrea on 8/15/2009 12:10AM
Actually I did send a post clarifying that if you are MANIC depressive, by all means take a pill. What I am talking about is the regular occational depression all of america seems to go thru at some time or another.
AOL BV with this censorship never posted it.
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By: Mook is a Fake on 9/16/2009 10:06PM
The person who responded to your posting is a fake. "Mook" is not a black person. This person responded to something else that I read on BV and it was really hateful towards blacks. They claim to be a black person who wish they were not black and they write very racist comments against blacks so ignore "Mook".
You are right. So many people are using medication as a crutch. They do not do the things to make sure that they are spiritually, emotionally and physically well. As a people, blacks do tend to have more family support and spiritual foundation which helps us cope. We have to deal with a lot of mess in this world so we usually have thicker skin. People whom are accustom to silver spoons crack at littlest sign of a problem. There are some who do unhealthy self-destructive things to deal with depression. While others try to hurt other people because they are hurting. Medication should be the VERY last resort after all other options have been exhausted. First try Jesus, sports, art, exercise, or some type of outlet.
Anti-depressants users have high rates of suicide. That is not a good mix.
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By: Dendrea on 8/15/2009 12:11AM
Actually I did send a post clarifying that if you are MANIC depressive, by all means take a pill. What I am talking about is the regular occational depression all of america seems to go thru at some time or another.
AOL BV with this censorship never posted it.
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By: nisee on 9/01/2009 3:51PM
Black people do not need drugs, legal or illegal. We as a people and as a nation need Dr.Jesus. Our ancestors ,especially after slavery did not have therapists or antidepressant drugs. What we did have were stronger family units. Single parenthood was practically unheard of and Black men for the most part loved and respected us. Marriage was a respected institution amoung our people. As long as we continue to look to people for healing we will continue to suffer. God wishes us to prosper and be in health. Read 3John verse 2.Turn to Him and be healed.
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By: mint on 9/30/2009 12:27PM
We as a black race of people have always had to endure racism ,pain and everything else of being a people of color. Where were the antidepressants then when our ancesscers children and spouses were taken away from each other during slavery, We just had to deal. now we're being put down for not taking a drug that have some side affects? Habit forming and make you suicidal? come on believe everything these people tell you. Now I know some of us need them, Black or White because of a chemical inblanced. That's as far as I am going with that. I could be on my cumputer all day writing. But God made us a strong race of people both mentally and phycially. That statement about blacks not taking antidepressant or having to use them like any other race is just another thing to put us down. When it could mean a positive thing for our race. We have had to be strong to even still be here in this racist society.
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By: Sabrina on 9/30/2009 12:45PM
Are you serious?????????? Is this really an issue?; the fact that we are not taking poisons to mask the root of underlying issues leading to what some call depression? You have to be kidding me. I am happy that we are not hooked on yet another poisonous drug especially one more to give us a sense of false hope. A relationship--a true, honest open and living relationship with our Creator is the answer too and cure to all that ails us as humans!!!!!!!!!!!!
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By: g on 10/19/2009 7:31AM
African Americans have just as much mental health issues and concerns as anyone else. However, there is a stigma attached to Mental illness in the Black Community. Especially when it comes to Black males. Hispanics have that same attitude as well. Personally speaking, I grew up in a single parent household with my mom who was a raging Alcoholic and drug addict. She functioned pretty well when she was sober holding down an Executive position. She was VERY good had hidding the truth. Unfortunately I fell victim because of her mental illness. She was very abusive physically, mentally, and emotionally towards me. Had there been child protective services as they are now, I probably would have been taken out of the home.
It wasn't a lack of good Insurance in my mother's case. It was a lack of support from her family and community that prevented her from getting help.
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By: g on 10/19/2009 10:19AM
I agree with Moonm988. My family would be the last people I would go to for therapy. Black people as a whole, are the most depressed. I believe it is both enviormnental factors as well as certain genatic factors. There's isn't enough support for one another in the Black community and way too much jealousy amongst one another. Genetically, my theory is the lack of vitamin D which I feel a lot of Blacks have defiency. The darker the skin, the less vitamin D can be absorbs from the sun. Vitamin D is essential because it actually keeps you HAPPY. It is literally call the HAPPY vitamin.
Getting enough vitamin D from the sun would mean you would have to be in the Sun. Most Dark skinned Black Amercians avoid the Sun for fear of getting darker. However, in Africa there is no avoiding the Sun and Africans have far less cases of depression than Black Americans.
If you rather avoid the sun, the next best thing is to just take a vitamin D supplement. Taking a vitamin supplement is no substitute for getting help for depression. But its a start.
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