According to the World Health Organization, “One in four people at some point in their lives”, “Around 450 million people currently suffer from such conditions, placing mental disorders among the leading causes of ill-health and disability worldwide”.

Therefore, no one is immune to mental health issues. It can affect anyone regardless race, religion, gender, profession, socioeconomic status or culture.

Here are eleven quotes from famous African Americans and others about how they feel about mental health issues.

 

1.  I’m a good talker. But I soon learned that you can’t talk someone out of depression.

Mental illness is real. And like everything else in life, it operates on a spectrum.

We need to start talking, and we need to start now.

~ Oprah Winfrey (Media Mogul)

 

 

2.   “I found that, with depression, one of the most important things

 you could realize is that you’re not alone,” “You’re not the first to go through it;

 you’re not going to be the last to go through it.

~ Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

 

 

3.   “I think it’s important to take away the stigma from

Mental illness. My brain and my heart are really important to me.

I don’t know why I wouldn’t seek help to have those things as

healthy as my teeth.

~ Kerry Washington 

 

 

 

  4.   “It took me a while to get my stuff together to go,

‘You know what? If you’re not happy, you have to do something about it,’

 “Just to admit that you are feeling this way is a huge step.

~ Wayne Brady (Comedian and Actor) 

 

 

 

5.    “Women, in particular, need to keep an eye

on their physical and mental health, because

if we are scurrying to and from appointments

and errands, we don’t have a lot of time to take care of

ourselves.  We need to do a better job of putting ourselves

higher on our own ‘to do’ list.”

~ Michelle Obama (Former First Lady: USA)

 

 

6.   “I don’t feel bad about telling somebody I see a psychologist.”

I don’t feel that you should feel bad about improving yourself.

~ World Metta Peace (aka Ron Artest)

 

 

7.   We want as many people to have an understanding of Mental Health First Aid

as people who have been trained in CPR. 

How many of us know what to do when someone is suffering from depression

and can’t get out of bed day after day?

~ Chirlane McCray  (Frist Lady of New York) 

 

8.   “When I first heard the term “mental health,”

the first thing that came to mind was mental toughness, masking pain,

hiding, keeping it in, that’s what was embedded in me since I was a kid.

It’s funny because now I know it’s the total opposite.

It’s being able to have the strength to pick up the phone and ask someone for help.”

~ Brandon Marshall (Former NFL Player)

 

9.   “I wanted out.”

“So many people are walking around acting like they’ve got it all together,” “And they’re

suffering.” We’re taught, ‘Just go to church and pray about it. The Lord is going to heal you,’”

“Well, in the meantime, I believe God-gifted people, physicians, doctors, therapists —

that’s your healing.

 Depression is not OK, but it is OK to go get help.”

~ Michelle Williams (Singer: Destiny Child)

 

10.   My anxiety and depression have ruled my life for as long as I can remember

and I never leave the house because of it. I can’t make new friends because of it.

I don’t trust anyone because of it, and I’m tired of being held back in my life.

 I deserve to have peace.” It’s time I fix me.

~ Scott Mescudi  ( Hip Hop Artist)

 

11.  “This may well be the toughest fight of my life, but I’ll do all I can to win it.”

“Mental illness can happen to anybody. You can be a dustman, a politician,

a Tesco worker… anyone.  It could be your dad, your brother or your aunt.

People need to have compassion for others.” 

~Frank Bruno (British: Former Professional Boxer)

 

submission@mentalhealthplatform.com

 

Check Out:

• Mental Health Platform – Culture
• NAMI 
• US Department of Minority  Mental Health