Having a discussion on mental health in the black community and technically not being fully aware of how it’s viewed I felt that it would be a great idea to pick the brain of the author of the book, A Guide To Common Mental Health Disorders, who happens to be African American. The questions that I had for him are as follows.
Question.
So you believe that mental health in the black community is taken seriously?
Answer
If you want the truth of the matter, absolutely not. Now don’t get me wrong it has been popularized so now it’s gaining traction for it seems that black people tend to follow the trends set for them yet it’s not. When you have a people who have so much trauma from ancestry it’s pretty difficult.
Question.
We know that you wrote a book on the subject and are qualified as a mental health coach. The question is why did you even get interested in mental health?
Answer.
Because the reality is that we are all mental health. This doesn’t mean that we are crazy, definitely not. It is to examine first the self then the social, economical and spiritual factors that affects everything. Deep down I believe God gave us these scriptures, either be Christian, Muslim or even Ifa to help with mental health. To be assurance. A pill. Medicine.
Question.
What are ways you believe you can present the importance of mental health to the African American community?
Answer
It’s not just a African American or race concern. It is a human concern but to answer that I would say we have to step back and look at the oppression and attacks on our morale and stance as a people. Yes we come from trauma yet we also come from success. The black woman in America has so much trauma that it’s almost impossible to remedy that. Then I’m not sexist but I would say that the black man has to recreate himself to before we hit the continue and go back to that African mindset because the black man has been so broken that if he doesn’t correct his mind, body snd soul then the entire race in whole is under a attack that it just can’t win.
Question.
Do you agree with the ideas of Drm Umar Johnson and what he’s trying to do with the black community?
Answer.
I’m sure it would cause an issue if I said no comment so I’ll say this….I’m not into Pan African mindset. I’m a new Nubian if anything. I believe the brother is a great mind get I don’t agree with everything he says and I’ll leave it at that.
Question.
You do know that you and him are becoming attached as Malcolm X and MLK?
Answer. I must be MLK. Next question please.
Question.
Alright final question. What are you doing now to help your people with mental health?
Answer.
That there is the problem. Who are my people? I’m pro human. I’m for everyone. Needless to say I am providing mental health courses, literature, hell I even made a game teaching mental health. But I can’t let it go. We are one people. Yes I’m black but I’m human. You think I won’t help another race because of their color? That’s just stupid. I’m not what people are saying, a so called black leader or whatever. I’m human. If we at least took those steps that right there would help out with mental health.
Jonah Sanders is the founder of Jonah Sanders Legal Group, Genius IQ, Jonah Sanders Films and Gaming as well as the author of over 30 books.
To follow Jonah Sanders you may do so at
Iamjonahsanders.com
