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Lay My Burden Down: Unraveling Suicide and the Mental Health Crisis Among African-Americans
Despite despair precipitated by racism and poverty, the black community has always experienced a very low rate of suicide. Yet from 1980 to 1995, suicides among black youths increased 114 percent.
This alarming statistic demonstrates a real crisis in America's health care system. The most prominent African-American psychiatrist and an award-winning journalist (both of whom lost siblings to self-destructive behavior), offer Lay My Burden Down as an essential response to a national emergency.
Beginning with a concise analysis of the often troubled relationship between African-Americans and a white medical establishment, Poussaint and Alexander trace the historical, cultural, and social factors that prevent blacks from seeking medical treatment and document the failed response of white health professionals. Most important, they ask us to look again at abuse, gunplay, and the increase in HIV cases among African-Americans not exclusively as predictable products of racism and poverty but also as examples of self-destructive, suicidal behavior. Intervention is possible, and Poussaint and Alexander cite many ways that our national health care system and health care professionals may help, while noting the programs and policies that have already begun to make a difference. A crucial initiative, Lay My Burden Down will change how we view mental health care in America.
About the Authors:
A former consultant for The Cosby Show, Alvin F. Poussaint, M.D., is professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and the Judge Baker Children's Center in Boston, Massachusetts. He lives in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.
This alarming statistic demonstrates a real crisis in America's health care system. The most prominent African-American psychiatrist and an award-winning journalist (both of whom lost siblings to self-destructive behavior), offer Lay My Burden Down as an essential response to a national emergency.
Beginning with a concise analysis of the often troubled relationship between African-Americans and a white medical establishment, Poussaint and Alexander trace the historical, cultural, and social factors that prevent blacks from seeking medical treatment and document the failed response of white health professionals. Most important, they ask us to look again at abuse, gunplay, and the increase in HIV cases among African-Americans not exclusively as predictable products of racism and poverty but also as examples of self-destructive, suicidal behavior. Intervention is possible, and Poussaint and Alexander cite many ways that our national health care system and health care professionals may help, while noting the programs and policies that have already begun to make a difference. A crucial initiative, Lay My Burden Down will change how we view mental health care in America.
About the Authors:
A former consultant for The Cosby Show, Alvin F. Poussaint, M.D., is professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and the Judge Baker Children's Center in Boston, Massachusetts. He lives in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.
Amy Alexander is a freelance journalist and editor of The Farrakhan Factor. She lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
194 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2000
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372 people want to read
About the author
Alvin F. Poussaint
21 books10 followersAlvin Francis Poussaint was an American psychiatrist known for his research on the effects of racism in the black community. He was a noted author, public speaker, and television consultant, and dean of students at Harvard Medical School. His work in psychiatry was influenced greatly by the civil rights movement in the South, which he joined in 1965.
While living in the South, Pouissant learned much about American racial dynamics. He soon delved into his first book, Why Blacks Kill Blacks (1972), which looks at the effects of racism on the psychological development of blacks. Most of Poussaint's work focuses on the mental health of African Americans.
While living in the South, Pouissant learned much about American racial dynamics. He soon delved into his first book, Why Blacks Kill Blacks (1972), which looks at the effects of racism on the psychological development of blacks. Most of Poussaint's work focuses on the mental health of African Americans.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 4, 2017
Very informative book!
Some introspective statements:
Protective factors such as family and religion that may have helped prevent blacks in the past from succumbing to self destruction. Page 104
Many blacks in inner cities no longer seem to feel connected to each other, responsible for each other or concerned about each other. Inner cities now reflect a sense of hopelessness, alienation and frustration. It erupts into urban crime and violence, family violence and self destructive behavior. Page 106
Moreover, the American curse of historic memory loss has meant millions of young blacks who might draw hope from their ancestors achievement often do not regard the past as a realistic source of inspiration. Page 94
Overwhelmingly, the continuing emphasis on violence, drug abuse and sexual conquest in rap and hip-hop music and in popular films, is part and parcel of the self image deficiencies that have plagued African Americans for decades. Page. 112
Several unique features including the history of slavery and segregation and continuing racism and discrimination in America combined with other risk factors such as depression, anger, drug and alcohol and easy access to firearms to make suicide and self-destructive behavior particularly complex issues within the black community. Page 158.
Some introspective statements:
Protective factors such as family and religion that may have helped prevent blacks in the past from succumbing to self destruction. Page 104
Many blacks in inner cities no longer seem to feel connected to each other, responsible for each other or concerned about each other. Inner cities now reflect a sense of hopelessness, alienation and frustration. It erupts into urban crime and violence, family violence and self destructive behavior. Page 106
Moreover, the American curse of historic memory loss has meant millions of young blacks who might draw hope from their ancestors achievement often do not regard the past as a realistic source of inspiration. Page 94
Overwhelmingly, the continuing emphasis on violence, drug abuse and sexual conquest in rap and hip-hop music and in popular films, is part and parcel of the self image deficiencies that have plagued African Americans for decades. Page. 112
Several unique features including the history of slavery and segregation and continuing racism and discrimination in America combined with other risk factors such as depression, anger, drug and alcohol and easy access to firearms to make suicide and self-destructive behavior particularly complex issues within the black community. Page 158.
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June 12, 2016Books That Are Straightforward About Mental Illness
Dr. Poussaint’s book offers a clinical examination of the dissonance between black America and the predominantly white healthcare industry. With journalist Amy Alexander, Poussaint investigates the historical, cultural, and political factors that keep black citizens from seeking help.
Dr. Poussaint’s book offers a clinical examination of the dissonance between black America and the predominantly white healthcare industry. With journalist Amy Alexander, Poussaint investigates the historical, cultural, and political factors that keep black citizens from seeking help.
August 27, 2011
Seemed repetitive in some places. Helpful for understanding...
June 5, 2008
Definatley broadened the way I think about suicide.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews