While everyone has a unique, individualized mental health journey, we can often find common ground based on our history, communities, and shared experiences. At Stop Stigma Sacramento, our Speakers Bureau members use their stories to connect with people to make everyone feel less alone and inspire them to seek help if needed. In honor of Black History Month, we spoke with two of our African American Speakers Bureau members about how their experience and Black culture have impacted their views on mental health and how their work with Stop Stigma Sacramento has helped in their healing journey.
Stop Stigma Sacramento: Growing up, how were mental health, mental illness, or substance use challenges discussed in your family or community, and how did these early conversations shape your views on mental health?
La Viola Ward: Growing up, mental health was rarely discussed openly in my family or community. Like many African American households, there was a strong emphasis on resilience, faith, and perseverance, but little conversation about emotional struggles, mental illness, or therapy. The unspoken rule was to “pray on it” or “push through,” which made it difficult to acknowledge personal struggles. These early experiences initially made me hesitant to seek help, but as I grew older and learned more about mental health, I realized that silence only deepened my struggles.
Lenaea Sanders: I grew up in a mixed race home (Black & Irish) and because my parents were divorced, I had two sets of rules and customs. Mental health challenges, or discussion of mental diagnoses were taboo in both homes. We lived under the guise of not speaking about what happens in the home with anyone outside.
SSS: When did your mental health journey begin, and what resources or support systems have been most helpful to you along the way?
La Viola: My mental health journey began in early adulthood when my own trauma resulted in depression, anxiety, and unhealthy coping mechanisms to treat those symptoms. Treatment literally saved my life and inspired me to later pursue a career in the mental health field. Support from peers in the mental health field, therapy, and education about mental health have been invaluable. I have also found great support in community advocacy programs, including my work with Stop Stigma Sacramento, where I can share my story and connect with others who have had similar experiences.
Lenaea: My mental health journey didn’t really begin officially until I was in my 30’s. I began using drugs at a young age and I used many substances in the years that followed, going down a spiral of using to cope with daily anxiety and depression. It wasn’t until I entered college at 31 that I began to find support and help to recognize that I indeed had mental health challenges. I was still using and had to make significant changes in my life in order to live.
SSS: Are there any unique cultural factors, such as historical trauma, racism, cultural loss, that impact mental health in African American communities?
La Viola: Yes, historical trauma, systemic racism, and cultural loss deeply impact mental health in the Black community. The generational effects of slavery, segregation, and discrimination contribute to cultural stress, anxiety, and feelings of disenfranchisement. Additionally, economic disparities, lack of access to mental health care, and daily experiences of racial bias further compound these issues. Healing requires addressing these systemic barriers, promoting racial equity in health care, and creating safe spaces for African Americans to process and heal from collective trauma.
Lenaea: For me, growing up as a mixed-race person, I was navigating whether I was accepted into either culture… was I Black enough to be considered Black and/or was I too Black to be considered Irish? I often faced ridicule for the differences in my appearance, from the freckles on my face to the lightness of my skin. I also faced discrimination against myself and/or my Caucasian mother because she had two Black babies. These themes are strewn across African American communities and the historical trauma is something that is deeply rooted in this country.
SSS: In what ways do you feel stigma toward mental illness manifests within African American communities, and what steps can be taken to address or overcome these challenges?
La Viola: Stigma in the Black community often presents itself through silence, shame, and the expectation of strength at all costs. Many people fear being perceived as weak or “crazy” for seeking help. There’s also historical mistrust of the medical system, which can discourage individuals from accessing mental health services. Overcoming these challenges requires education, representation, and culturally competent care. Normalizing conversations about mental health through advocacy, storytelling, and faith-based initiatives can help dismantle stigma.
Lenaea: For many years, mental health topics were simply not discussed in my family/community. I think this was mirrored in many homes and the sentiment that I previously mentioned held true; what happens at home, stays at home. In addition, the old adage of, “suck it up,” comes to mind. When you are seen as a people of “strong measure” some may look at mental health challenges as weak or deficient in some way. The communities where I grew up had a sense of pride [in strength] that helped to fuel the notion that everything must be okay.
SSS: How can friends and family members in the Black community provide better support to those experiencing mental health challenges?
La Viola: Friends and family can support loved ones by listening without judgment, educating themselves about mental health, and encouraging open conversations. Suggesting professional help when needed and being patient through their journey are also crucial ways to provide support. Remember, we are all in this together!
Lenaea: Listen.
SSS: How do you believe mental health services can be improved for African American communities?
La Viola: Mental health services need to be more accessible, affordable, and culturally competent. More Black mental health professionals, community-based initiatives, and outreach programs can help bridge the gap. Destigmatizing therapy through faith-based partnerships and incorporating holistic approaches to healing can also encourage more people to seek support.
Lenaea: Vocalization, communication, and collaboration are ways to provide education for the African American community. I feel as though stories told through avenues such as Stop Stigma Sacramento provide an opportunity for people to hear that they are not alone and that it’s okay to talk about their mental health challenges.
SSS: How has your work with Stop Stigma Sacramento helped you on your mental health journey?
La Viola: Being part of Stop Stigma Sacramento has been an incredibly rewarding experience. It has allowed me to use my voice to break down barriers, challenge misconceptions, and connect with others who share similar experiences. This work has reinforced the importance of community support in mental health advocacy.
Lenaea: Stop Stigma Sacramento has allowed me to have a voice in arenas that I might not have been able to reach on my own. I have been able to tell my story and share my journey with others and that helps me attain a meaningful role in my life. I feel as though the work I have done with Stop Stigma makes a difference. I cherish the times that I have been able to reach out in those speaking engagements and know that I have informed or shared something that impacted someone else’s journey.
If you would like to share your story to help someone on their mental health journey, please consider joining the Stop Stigma Sacramento Speakers Bureau. You have the power to stop the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illness in our community. If you are living with a mental illness, have a friend or loved one living with a mental illness, and want to support our efforts please follow the link here to join our team! Join Speakers Bureau – Stop Stigma Sacramento