How does The Elephant in the Room tackle mental health issues in the African American community?
We do our best to be present and vocal in the community. We’ve participated in community health fairs in Black neighborhoods and connected with our historically Black colleges and universities. We recently visited Tuskegee University and spoke with their students about mental health, symptoms, triggers, and where to get help on and off campus. Our latest panel was made up of African American men. Our guests had the opportunity to hear stories from brave men who openly discussed their personal struggles with mental health. We also spend a lot of time having one-on-one interviews with professional athletes from the NFL and NBA. These athletes are courageous partners of mine as we use our platforms to speak out about the importance of taking care of our mental health.
What is the biggest misconception about mental illnesses?
People with mental health conditions are labeled as crazy and or mentally unstable. There’s also a huge misconception that if you struggle with a mental health condition then drugs are your only treatment option. Many people who seek treatment are able to lead healthy lifestyles with and without medication.
