Black churches address suicide, mental illness
Tamara Warren Chinyani, an instructor with the “Mental Health First Aid” program, led a session at an African-American church in Washington, D.C. on August 2 about signs and symptoms of mental illness. Photo courtesy of Tamara Warren Chinyani
The death of comedian Robin Williams has heightened awareness of suicide and mental health. But many African-American churches quietly began educating members on the issue well before.
“A lot of times in the past, African Americans have viewed severe depression and other mental illnesses as indicating a spiritual weakness,” said Tamara Warren Chinyani, an instructor with the Mental Health First Aid program. “We’re changing that paradigm around.”
The National Council for Behavioral Health introduced the program in the United States in 2008, with the goal of helping people learn how to spot signs and symptoms of mental illness. The program began its focus on African-American churches this year.
