Items Tagged With “African Americans”

Anyone can experience clinical depression, regardless of race, gender, age, creed or income. Every year more than 19 million Americans suffer from some type of depressive illness. According to a Surgeon General report, African Americans are over-represented in populations that are particularly at risk for mental illness.

An estimated 2.3 million Americans have bipolar disorder, also called manic-depressive illness. A person with bipolar disorder can go from feeling very, very high (called mania) to feeling very, very low (depression). With proper treatment, people can control these mood swings and lead fulfilling lives.

Experiencing discrimination, harassment, and threats of violence leaves people more vulnerable to depression, anxiety substance abuse, and many other mental health concerns. Yet black transgender people may be less likely to reach out to doctors and mental health professionals. It’s not difficult to understand why.