Below is an article I wrote recently during the CBC (Congressional Black Caucus). I wanted to share it with everyone because the topic of the article is serious, and more people need to be aware. This world is full of things we can not explain or do not understand. There are things that happen that we can not control. There is someone you know, or it may even be you that has had some horrible experiences in life that leaves you feeling totally depressed. The cards of life that we are dealt are NOT always good. But no matter what you are going through, understand that there is help out there. Depression and any other of mental disorder can be treated. The first thing is to acknowledge it. I write these words not only to inform you or make you aware, but because I have my own set of mental issues and emotional baggage. My life has not been a joy ride and my mind is daily bombarded with thoughts that can make me cry at any given minute. I need help myself, and I recognize that. For awhile I did not want to acknowledge my unresolved pain because it hurt to much and I didnt want to bring it up and have to deal with it. But after attending the session that I talk about in my article, I know that in order to move forward I have to confront what’s behind me. So as I deal with my closet and try to clean it out, if you are going through ANYTHING talk to someone, it may save your life. Be blessed!

         Black Women Surviving Unmet Mental Health Needs, a forum hosted by the Annual Legislative Conference, on Friday, featured experts discussing how depression affects the African-American community and the way in which African-Americans are unaware and do not deal with this life threatening issue.      
       “Every year we stop suffering from depression without treatment, we stop suffering because depression kills us,” says Terrie Williams, mental health advocate and keynote speaker.
       Although the forum served to address the mental health needs of African American women, many of the comments, suggestions, and information given was geared toward depression and the Black community as a whole.
       The main point emphasized by the panelists was the need to understand that depression and other mental disorders exists and affects African Americans greatly. 
       According to a graph shown by panelist, Dr. Altha J. Stewart, president of the American Psychiatric Foundation, those who suffer from childhood abuses are twice as likely to suffer from anxiety, depression, somatization, and attempted suicide.
       “Depression is real, that is not only the name of our coalition, that is the fact and the truth. It is a mental disorder, a brain disease, and is highly treatable and being treated is highly effective,” Stewart told the audience.
       Panelists said solutions to combat depression include acknowledging it and then seeking help.
       “There is a stigma that people rather die and remain sick than to get help because they’re afraid of what other people say or think,” said Dr. Rahn Bailey, chair of the psychiatry section for the National Medical Association.
       Audience member and some panelists gave personal testimonies of family members suffering from mental disorders including depression, suicide, bi-polar disorder and paranoia schizophrenia.
      Williams, 53, told of her battle with depression during her 20s, provoking laughter and tears among the audience.
     “We need to share our stories, the tiniest element of your story can change someone else’s life,” said Williams.
     Williams, who read from her book, “BLACK PAIN: It Just Looks Like We’re Not Hurting,’’ shared symptoms to look for when dealing with depression: always to busy, running from “something,” afraid of expressing oneself, lying about everything, overeating, easily irritable and always angry.
     Kristy Arnold, a graduate student at Virginia Tech whose focus is counseling, said she enjoyed the forum.
    “It was actually my concern about whether or not the CBC was going to address mental health issues, particularly in the black community because it’s never talked about,” Arnold said. “There needs to be more forums and workshops because we are the walking dead trying to mask and camouflage, and really we need to say, ‘I need help’.”