Lindsei Roby
Staff Writer/MC301
“Jesus is on the main line, tell Him what you want.” Many of you have heard this song in church or on the radio, and it is supposed to be the solution to all your problems, right?
Whether you need a blessing, a miracle, or your soul saved, just call Him up and tell Him what you want is the advice you many African-Americans have been given with some believing that Jesus is the only professional you need for any situation.
According to the Pew Research Center’s 2014 Religious Landscape Study, Religion has always been the foundation of the black community with nearly half of all Black people attending a religious service at least once a week.
However, when it comes to mental health in the black community, this notion, according to some researchers, hinder some African-Americans from seeking the help they need from mental health professionals.
The question is, why is dealing with mental health in the black community such a taboo?
Shamyra Howard, a licensed, African-American therapist from Baton Rouge, La., recently wrote an article for the Conquest Counseling LLC website.
“…. We do not take care of our mental health. Many black clients have stated, ‘I didn’t think I needed therapy. I’m not crazy.’ Going to therapy doesn’t mean you’re crazy… Therapists can help you process your feelings, and can help you find your missing piece/peace,” said Howard in the article.
Gathered from experience and her own research, Howard found that black people do not go to therapy due to three things: money, stigma, and faith. Some feel they cannot afford it, others do not like the labels placed upon them for going, and the rest feel it goes against their faith.
The goal of many therapists is to see both sides rather than stereotype and only focus on negative factors.
In a Psychology Today article, research finds that African-Americans share the same mental health issues as the rest of the population, with arguably even greater stressors due to racism, prejudice, and economic disparities.
Those stressors could trigger other issues that require more assistance than prayer alone. And the King James Version of the bible seems to back this up. As stated in James 2:17, “Faith without works, is dead.” However, what’s the alternative to mental health without therapy?
The black church is a factor in the avoidance of psychotherapy in the black community, according to Psychology Today.
Howard agrees, in her article she alludes to the phrase, “just pray about” as an extremely common phrase in the black community, which deters many from seeing a therapist.
So what’s the alternative to prayer you ask? Believe it or not, it is possible for the black community to seek help outside of the church house.
Therapy can be extremely beneficial for African-Americans. Tonya Ladipo, a relational psychotherapist and an expert on this topic, believes in the benefits therapy provides.
“Many people think they must have a mental health issue to go to therapy… anyone can take advantage of the service. Therapy… can provide you with the support you need to live a healthier and happier life,” said Ladipo.
Ladipo believes that therapy can provide a lane for individuals to be more balanced, healthy human beings.
So, although Jesus could very well be on the main line, He more than likely will not mind if you tell a licensed professional ‘what you want’.
