Black Men and Depression: Saving our Lives, Healing our Families and Friends

by John Head

“A call to action shedding light on the issue of depression in black men and the barriers that prevent too many from seeking and receiving care.”—Rosalynn Carter, former U.S. First Lady, and chairperson, The Carter Center Mental Health Task Force
 
In mainstream society depression and mental illness are still somewhat taboo subjects; in the black community they are topics that are almost completely shrouded in secrecy. As a result, millions of black men are suffering in silence or getting treatment only in extreme circumstances—in emergency rooms, homeless shelters, and prisons. The neglect of emotional disorders among men in the black community is nothing less than racial suicide.
 
In this groundbreaking book, veteran journalist and award-winning author John Head argues that the problem can be traced back to the time of slavery, when it was believed that blacks were unable to feel inner pain because they had no psyche. This myth has damaged generations of African American men and their families, creating a society that blames black men for being violent and aggressive without considering that depression might be a root cause.
 
Black Men and Depression challenges the African American community and the psychiatric community to end the suffering of black men, and address what can be done by loved ones to help those who need it most.
 
Previously published as Standing in the Shadows

Genres: African American

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Chris brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a Black man or you know and care about a Black man then this book is something that you should invest in for the singular fact that knowing about our mental health and healing is vital. I recommend this to everyone

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

"This mistaken notion that mental illness is inextricably linked to violent behavior is one of the principal sources of fear and prejudice toward people with mental illness. This is especially true regarding Black men, because of the way we grew up thinking about violence and the way society in general associates violence with us."

[Nia]

Anyone who cares about black men should read this book. It is extremely engaging and "accessible". I highly recommend it.

[Clif · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book isn't just a self-help curiosity for me. The further I got into it, the more I could see of myself in the author (take that for what you will). Everyone's walk may be different in regards to depression, but reading about his experience pretty much drew a map over my own life, right down to why I was so lucky (for the most part) where others may need assistance (ie medication, hospitalization, etc). It didn't make me better than them, it was just a luck of the genetic (or in my case, situational) dice.

Reading this also had some very real world benefits, where I was able to articulate the very thought processes he described in the book and respond accordingly.