Phenomenal Healing: 4 Lessons from a Black Woman’s Mental Health Journey

“I come as one but stand as 10,000.” – Maya Angelou 

Two years ago, my mental health changed drastically, and my mental health journey began. On January 4th, 2021, I had a severe manic episode, which led to my hospitalization. I was frantic, speaking rapidly, and I felt rejuvenated even after getting two hours of sleep per night. While I felt invincible, my family knew that something was wrong. 

After being released from the hospital, I got diagnosed with Bipolar 1 Disorder and had to face a new reality. I needed to familiarize myself with a new level of functionality. To say that it was difficult to receive that diagnosis would be the understatement of the year. 

Learning how to maintain my faith in God and embrace my culture while I manage bipolar disorder seemed daunting at first. But over time, I learned four valuable lessons that helped me appreciate my healing and mental health journey even more. 

 

#1: It’s important to build my hope on a strong foundation

As a woman of faith, I learned that my hope is stronger when I place it in God’s hands. 

During difficult times, I also found it helpful to reflect on what God brought me through. These moments of reflection highlight the power of God and His providence in my life. Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV) is a perfect reminder of this. It states, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” This verse carried me through moments of despair because I believed in God’s plan for me. Despite the diagnosis, I believed that God was working everything out for my good. 

In my experience, faith can play an essential role in mental health because it establishes the perfect foundation for hope. 

Hebrews 11:1 (ESV) says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” This shows that faith is the source of hope and that hope goes beyond what we can see. Having a bipolar diagnosis made me realize that I can’t go through this healing journey on my own. Even in the darkest moments where I doubt that I can make it, my faith in God shows me that I can trust in God’s plan for my life.  

Stigma in the Black community

Having faith increases hope because it helps you to understand that you are not alone and that your purpose is greater than the pain. In fact, faith is a powerful tool for healing in the Black Community. According to a study by Dr. Thomas Vance at Columbia University, “in the Black community, there is often difficulty acknowledging psychological difficulties, but useful strategies including religious coping and methods such as pastoral guidance and prayer often are the most preferred coping mechanism.” 

 

 

 

#2: Cultural competence is necessary for mental health treatment plans 

As a Black woman, I didn’t have a blueprint for how to manage my mental health condition. There were no examples of navigating a mental health journey. In the Black community, mental illness is often seen as a weakness. Dr. Thomas Vance also notes in his study, “These ideas often lead people to believe that a mental health condition is a personal weakness due to negative stereotypes of instability and attitudes of rejection. Because of this lack of information about mental health issues in the Black community, it is not always clear when one may need it or where to find help.” 

Given this context, I didn’t know how to advocate for cultural competence in therapy. Cultural competence is very important in therapeutic services because it helps people to connect with their culture and how it affects their mental health.

After having a therapist who understood my experience as an African-American woman, my racial trauma was understood and explored rather than minimized. My racial identity was affirmed and even elevated in light of biblical ideals, and I felt more comfortable about voicing my experiences with racial inequality (i.e. microaggressions in previous workplaces, navigating colorism and the fear of not being loved for my dark skin, and discussing the implications of being black and have bipolar disorder). 

Culturally competent therapists are an essential component of the healing process for people of color. 

 

 

#3: Surround yourself with a community that shows up for you 

Developing a strong support system takes a lot of work, but it helps you realize that you don’t have to navigate your mental health journey alone. 

While I lost a few friendships after I shared my diagnosis for the first time, I also gained some valuable relationships despite my bipolar diagnosis. Being a mental health advocate wasn’t something I signed up for, but it is one of the greatest joys that I have. It validates my story, and it also makes my testimony greater. I would’ve never imagined that I could share my faith and mental health journey with people from different parts of the world. I am grateful for the opportunity to blaze the trail for people who are dealing with mental health conditions, people of color, and women who want to learn more about their diagnosis but don’t know where to start.

Having a strong community behind you can help to encourage you to keep going. Through managing all the ups and downs, my community was able to show up in ways that I never thought were possible. In addition to my inner circle, there are other mental health advocates and organizations who appreciate my story and want to form a connection with me. We are able to break the stigma surrounding mental illness together. It is such an enriching experience.

My close friends, family, online community, spiritual mentors, and fellow mental health advocates played a crucial role in my healing journey. I wouldn’t trade those relationships for anything in the world. 

 

 

#4: Make self-care a priority

Embracing self-care helped me to dismantle the facade of the “strong Black woman” who doesn’t crumble under pressure. 

Before I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, I put self-care on the back burner. I took on many responsibilities and pushed myself to be perfect. As a result, my mental health got worse, and I ended up in the hospital. I believed the lie that my worth stems from my accomplishments and how resilient I could be. 

While I was in the hospital, God made it clear to me that I needed to prioritize rest and self-care. Rest is important to God. Not only did He model resting after work in Genesis 2:3 (ESV), Jesus also extended an invitation to rest in Matthew 11: 28 (ESV): “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

 

Examples of self-care

Self-care doesn’t have to be fancy. Self-care can simply be doing something that you love or doing the essentials in your healing routine, like going to therapy, taking medication, or keeping track of what has or hasn’t been working for you. Dedicating time to take care of yourself can do wonders for your mental health. Another component of self-care is self-compassion. 

I always thought that self-compassion was selfish or prideful. After experiencing my own challenges with trying to appear like I had it all together, I learned that you can’t give from an empty cup. You can’t love others if you don’t love yourself. 

I’m not perfect, but I’m learning to love myself a little more each day. Self-compassion is the greatest act of kindness that you could ever do for yourself. I see myself as a woman who fought hard for her healing and is still making strides toward her purpose. It’s not easy, but loving yourself is definitely worth it. 

 

Conclusion

Managing bipolar disorder and embracing my culture showed me that God’s faithfulness will prevail, even in the worst circumstances. It also showed me that my voice is valuable and that there are people out there who need to hear my story. These lessons did not come overnight. Through two years of battling severe mood swings, figuring out the right treatment plan, reconciling my culture with mental health, and strengthening my faith in low moments, I am where I am today because of God’s grace. 

I can say, like the Apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV), “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

Having bipolar disorder not only helped me to depend on God more, but it also indicated that during my weak moments, Jesus always shows up with His strength.

 

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