Mental health has historically been considered taboo in the black community, but the issue took center stage with the death of a Lincoln University administrator.
COLUMBIA — Mental health has historically been considered taboo in the black community, but the issue took center stage with the death of a Lincoln University administrator.
The suicide of Doctor Antoinette “Bonnie” Candia-Bailey made national headlines and sparked discussions about mental health among those in leadership positions.
KOMU 8 sat down with L’U’s president of the National Alumni Association and met with a local black therapist to see why there are barriers in the black community and exactly what those are.
Tasca Tolson recently celebrated ten years at TMT Consulting, a community agency in Columbia, Missouri. She is a certified trauma informed mental health professional and counsels one of one and in group settings.
“My mission is to normalize mental health. I believe that language is so important, and so, having those conversations and just talking about it is going to be a big place to start,” said Tolson.
Conversations surrounding mental health can be uncomfortable for anyone, but Tolson hopes to remove the stigma around mental health in the black community.
“We’ve been raised to be so on it and pull up your boot straps and suck it up and make it happen for so long. Nobody says it’s okay to be tired,” said Tolson.
Dr. Sherman Bonds is the President of Lincoln University National Alumni Association. He said one of the barriers to seeking help is fear of judgment.
“I think the myth is that I can be open and honest and direct. When you can’t. That’s not the truth. You can be as much deliberate, but you will find yourself standing alone,” said Dr. Bonds.
Tolson and Bonds said the more responsibility you have, the harder it is to ask for help.
“I’m only good as the support that I receive for the positions of which I articulate, but I could easily lose that privilege to lead and can be abandoned.”
There is also a pressure to excel.
“A lot of people really feel like, when you’re looking at black and brown leadership, that you are doing it for the whole culture. It is not just I’m making a mistake. It is for all the people that came before me that allowed me to be in this position is why I have to do well.”
Tolson said it can be hard to find a therapist from the same racial group, but therapy is not the only option, especially if you can not afford the costs and insurance won’t cover it.
“One of the best ways to take care of yourself is just knowing that you did a little better than you did the day before,” said Tolson.
Tolson said conversations around mental health should continue in the black community and beyond to help reduce the stigma.