I sat down with Gail Bibb a psychotherapist a few months ago and she gave some valuable information that I wanted to share. This story was originally written during Mental Health Awareness Month.

Mental illness doesn’t choose who is affected by it, but culture, race and gender can affect access to treatment, support and quality of care. July is Minority Health Awareness Month. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in five people experience a mental health condition. I sit down with a psychotherapist Gail Bibb who is working to get rid of the stigma of seeking help. 

Bibb says “Anytime that anybody has a big change in their moods, it’s an indicator that something’s wrong.”

She explains some of the warning signs when you may need a mental health checkup.  “People are excessively worrying, extreme mood changes, highs or lows, avoiding social interactions with other people having thoughts about suicide, or really difficulty connecting in social settings could be indicators that there is something wrong” according to Bibb.

There’s several ways to treat patients. Bibb explains her method.  “So, I use a holistic approach. It’s just a modality that encompasses the mental, emotional, psychological, social impacts of a person and their well-being.” Bibb talks about how major life changes or maybe something in your past unresolved resurfaces.  She says “Triggers are just unhealed wounds from your past. And so anything in the environment can trigger it a smell, somebody’s personality, something that someone can say to you can trigger an emotional response.”

Bibb explains why so many African Americans are so apprehensive about seeking help. “I think historically, there’s been a mistrust in the medical field, with getting services getting adequate care that you need. Generally, I think a lot of African Americans have used the church as their provider for mental health. Particularly growing up for me, it was always whatever happened in the house stayed in the house.”

Bibb has obtained three masters degrees not just because of the science but her personal connection.  She says “I think more so experientially, for me, I grew up and I didn’t really have a relationship with my biological parents. And one of the reasons is because my biological mother was diagnosed with bipolar and schizophrenic. And so I think that my interest was sparked because of my own traumas that I’ve grew up with.”  She also explains why many Blacks chose their faith to help them instead of medical assistance. “I think faith particularly in the African American community is so important, because it has been the outlet that we have had with no stigma. And so it’s always been something that we could go kind of cry with no shame, shout, right and really have emotional expression that wasn’t demonize in our community” says Bibb.

She tells her clients of faith that its okay to seek medical help. “Absolutely. Prayer is a weapon. But therapy is a strategy and we need both to be the very best versions of ourselves. And I think that when you really lean in on your faith, it really gives you a level of resiliency. And therapy gives you that opportunity to co regulate with someone else that could be safe, and we can heal in safe and trusted relationships.” Bibb wants to reassure people that her business and businesses like hers is a safe place for mental, physical and spiritual health. 

If you need help you can contact Gail Bibb and other psychotherapists in this community.  If you need immediate help call the suicide hotline by texting LOU to 741741. 

Bibb is the co-owner of Revive Counseling.  They offer mental health therapy, life coaching and nutrition and wellness coaching plus much more.  Go to revivecounselingwellness.com for additional information. 

To see the video of my story click the link: https://wwwhttps://www.whas11.com/video/news/community/moments-that-matter/erasing-the-stigma-of-mental-health-in-the-african-american-community/417-becfb1dc-fa8b-4395-a538-66372b5c98a5