Overcoming the Stigma of Mental Health in Minority Communities

At our 2018 family reunion, I was struck by a candid conversation about

mental health struggles within our family. July is Minority Mental Health

Awareness Month, and I was preparing to moderate a Livestream National

Town Hall on this critical issue. My cousin shared that her son, now 22, had

been attempting suicide since he was eight. Another cousin spoke about

her daughter's depression, managed with medication. These revelations

highlighted this unspoken health challenge within our family.

An alarming trend shows African American children aged five to 15 are

committing suicide at twice the rate of their white peers. Reflecting on our

family history, I remembered my aunt’s husband and her son committed

suicide, and several of my maternal relatives had Alizemer’s. Neither of

these situations are ever openly discussed.

Ninety-five percent of African Americans enter psychiatric care through

emergency rooms. Sixty-five percent of black youth in juvenile detention

have mental illnesses. Counselors say these children would rather be seen

by their peers as being a discipline problem than to be known for taking

mental health meds. These sobering statistics also contribute to the high

number of mentally ill adults in our jails and prisons.

KEEPing silent is not the solution. Symptoms like excessive anger, bad

attitudes, outbursts, hoarding, isolation, and substance abuse often indicate

underlying mental illnesses. Experts say these behaviors are just the tip of

the iceberg, with undiagnosed mental illnesses in the driver’s seat.

Addressing our mental health isn't about blame; it's about opening up,

sharing struggles, and being willing to simply say “I need help” without the

fear of judgment.

We need safe spaces for these conversations, whether at family reunions

or around the kitchen table. Every home should have the number of the

local crisis center on their refrigerator door.

As your next Alachua County Sheriff, I will proactively address the stigma of

mental illness by helping to provide resources and support for those in

crisis before there is a need to dial 911. My public policy and legislative

experience will help us advocate for more accessible mental health

services while creating a safer, more compassionate Alachua County for

all.