MENTAL HEALTH
COVER FEATURE
MATTERS
P O S T T R A U M A T I C S L A V E S Y N D R O M E … T H E S T R U G G L E I S R E A L!
In 1852, an American physician spent hours researching and eventually proposed a mental illness known as Drapetomania, as the cause of enslaved Africans fleeing captivity. The idea of an individual wanting to be free from physical, mental, and emotional bonds of an oppressor meant something was terribly wrong with them. This was the message being sent to Black Americans.
Some of you will disagree with the notion that slavery continues to have a psychological impact on the mental health of African Americans in 2025. While some understand the implications, others are still in denial that an entire group of people can experience the residuals of bondage less than 200 years ago. To put it into perspective, my mother’ s grandmother was the daughter of a slave.
By Jeanette Blake, MSW, LCSW
size of a mustard seed; having more money will help me heal; or I just need a fresh start and moving will solve all my problems”. Once upon a time, the very same notions plagued my existence as I focused on surviving rather than healing, while wearing a mask to cover up the impact.
Dr. Joy DeGruy, an African American author, academic, and researcher has coined the term, Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome( PTSS). Dr. DeGruy’ s theory provides insight on the impact of the intergenerational psychological trauma in the African American community present day. Additionally, new research argues that DNA can be altered by trauma, which can be passed onto offspring.
My first experience with witnessing mental illness occurred when I was a young child. I vividly recall hearing my maternal grandmother from another room in the apartment scream in fear of little men trying to hurt her that were not visible to anyone but her. The confusion and fear I felt was never addressed, nor an explanation of the experience provided. Life continued as“ normal”. My grandmother was a quiet, sweet and reserved woman. Looking back, I can’ t help but wonder if her personality masked the fear and pain she felt within.
While there is intentionality in supporting the mental health of African Americans, there is still much work to be done. The African American culture continues to
September 25, 1990, I became a mother at the age of struggle with the scarcity syndrome( the psychological
19. It was the saddest pregnancy as I lived in between mindset of focusing on limited resources which can be family homes, was single, with no income. I cried the linked back to generations of oppression). This majority of the pregnancy, many days I had absolutely mindset can lead to anxiety and depression. It has no idea why and at times experienced suicidal been my experience as a black mental health ideations. Some of it was hormonal but was also the professional that some in our community don’ t impact of my traumatic childhood experiences. I was recognize the value or the urgency of receiving mental clinically depressed and to many it looked like I was health treatment whether taught in the home or lazy, incompetent, and destined for failure. overlooked in the church, as God is the healer. The notions of too many become,“ if I just have Faith the 10