Mental Health
Black Men Overcoming Stigma of Depression()
March 31, 2008 Are black men less likely to seek help for mental illness? Are they even willing to acknowledge that they may have a problem? Journalist and author John Head has seen this problem from the inside. His new book is titled Standing in the Shadows: Understanding and Overcoming Depression in Black Men.
Suicide Rate Among Blacks Is Cause for Alarm()
March 27, 2008 While whites may be twice as likely as African Americans to commit suicide, the rate is growing faster among black youth. As part of our series on mental health, we'll talk about these disturbing trends with Dr. Alvin Poussaint of Harvard Medical School and Donna Barnes, president of the National Organization for People of Color Against Suicide.
How Do Courts Deal With Mental Health Issues?()
March 26, 2008 The tabloids went wild when pop star Britney Spears was taken into custody and ferried to a Los Angeles psychiatric ward. Judge Lynn Toler joins us to explore what happens when the courts try to intervene in cases involving mental illness.
Adjusting to Life with HIV/AIDS()
March 21, 2008 Today we look at the psychological dimensions of HIV/AIDS — from the trauma of receiving the news to the side effects brought on by AIDS medications. Farai Chideya talks with Carla Bailey, co-chair of the Los Angeles County Commission on HIV; Regan Hoffmann, editor-in-chief of POZ magazine; and psychiatrist Dr. Michelle Clark.
Dealing with Post Traumatic Stress After War()
March 20, 2008 Many active duty soldiers and veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan return home with nightmares, flashbacks, and emotional hypersensitivity. Some of them are diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Treating Children with Mental Disorders()
March 14, 2008 Though it's normal for children to run around, scream and sometimes play rough with other kids, how can you tell if your child's high energy levels are a problem? Farai Chideya takes a closer look at dealing with kids' mental health issues.
Brain Chemistry Influencing Mental Health()
March 13, 2008 How does the brain's wiring contribute to mental illness? For insight, Farai Chideya talks with psychiatrist Dr. Carl C. Bell about the role of psychiatric drugs in treatment. Then, Rebecca Walker — author of Baby Love — discusses her own experiences with psychiatric medication and the challenges she faced following the birth of her child.
Does Fear of Mental Illness Hinder Therapy?()
March 7, 2008 Depression, paranoia, schizophrenia are seen as scary words and even more frightening realities. African Americans facing mental health issues aren't always likely to get therapy or medical support. We continue our month-long series on mental health with a look at the ways black communities are getting over the stigma of therapy.
