Mental health professionals state that clinical depression is a treatable illness that can strike everyone, it can be caused by biological factors, genetics, difficult life events, negative thinking patterns and, physical health problems. People that suffer from depression may not feel hopeful, happy about life or anything dealing with life’s ups or downs. They may cry a lot, stay away from friends and family, forgetfulness, anxious and worried all the time, the more serious think of death or suicide. This is not just a mood that one gets in; this is an imbalance in neurotransmitters (chemical in the brain) (Starling 4).

12 million people in the United States experience clinical depression. One in eight women develop clinical depression in a lifetime. Most women between the ages of 25 to 44 are in childbearing years, and thirty to fifty percent of them (blacks) are misdiagnosed because of cultural barriers, language, trust, and values between doctor an patient (NMHA 2). The National Mental Health Association has recorded that 63% of African American believe that depression is a personal weakness, 31% believed it is a health problem, 30% could handle it themselves, and 20% wou

Some also believe that corporate racism; single motherhood, consumer debt, drugs and poverty are contributing factors of depression in the black woman. Her self-esteem has suffered from childhood thinking that either she was too dark or her nose was too broad which, would make her feel a sense of not being accepted as a beautiful person (Starling, 4). As a child in white America over the last two decades dolls were only white which, black children played with because there were not any black dolls being made therefore, she couldn’t relate as being herself. Because of the dolls, the child would identify with an image of beautiful as white with straight hair, thus creating a problem.

6. Persistent symptoms that do not respond to treatment such as headaches, chronic pain, constipation, digestive disorders.

A black woman was socialized to think that she could take care of everybody and everything, which leads her to become over whelmed with guilt, fear, and low self-esteem. She then realizes she cannot do all things that have been put upon her to do. However, in reality, she cannot solve every problem that comes her way, and if by chance she does not, it is okay to fail. There is no support from family or friends when she does fail its just criticism and letdowns that she did not complete the task. Instead of support and realizing that, her tasks may not be reachable, or the task is too great to handle alone, it will start to work on her mind, which sometimes leads to depression.

There are solutions to this vast problem that can be addressed through education, awareness, and accountability. The first step is to understand if she is experiencing two or more of the symptoms that was described at the beginning of this paper. She may need to make an appointment with her doctors and discuss it further. Education can take place in the churches, schools, and community centers. Eighty percent of people who seek help are successfully treated for depression. Medication is a last resort when dealing with the black woman. If you solve the social problems through therapy intervention, they may start to achieve a better outlook on life.

Eating right is also a factor in creating a sound and positive mind. Working out instead of staying in and talking on the phone for hours is also a helpful way to utilize ones spare time in a positive manner. Family and friends should be supportive and understanding in a woman’s life if she has been diagnosed with depression. Do not think that she is looking for an easy way out of a bad situation. Encourage the person to talk about what is bothering her. Go to a therapist, they maybe able to help with problems that she cannot see for herself, chances are all she is needing is for someone to listen and not pass judgment.

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