Tag: Black Women

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Taraji P. Henson is taking a stand to challenge mental health stigma

By aamyasw1999 on

By Aamya Wilson | UAB Community Health & Human Services Intern

Taraji P. Henson is a beloved actor and veteran in the entertainment industry. She is best known for taking strong female leads that focus on the empowerment and strength of African American women. Though she is a very gifted actress, Taraji has also been a advocate for raising mental health awareness within the African American community. Mental illnesses can be experienced by many each year, with the National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH) reporting 57.8 million adults each year experience any mental illness (AMI) (NIMH, 2023). AMIs are characterized as a mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder and can range from causing no impairment to daily functioning to mild, moderate, and severe impairment (NIMH, 2023).

The percentage of African Americans experiencing AMIs annually is 21.4% or roughly one (1) of out every five (5) African American adults (NIMH, 2023). However, it may seem that challenges in mental health are not discussed within our communities. Not discussing mental illness may be even more detrimental to our health, especially because African Americans have experienced more forms of historical oppression, racism, dehumanization, and race-based violence than other people groups in the United States (SAMHSA, n.d.). Additionally, adverse experiences and negative encounters in the health care system can cause mistrust among African Americans for health care professionals (SAMHSA, n.d.). 

Stigma in discussing mental health challenges and overcoming negative encounters accessing health care is one of several reasons Ms. Henson has established an initiative within her community to create Wellness Pods. In 2018, Taraji, created the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation in honor of her Veteran father who struggled with his mental health after his time in war. Her foundation was created to battle the stigma against mental health in the Black community and she does this with the He, She, and They Care Wellness Pods initiative within HBCUs. Recently created was the She Care Wellness Pod that is used as a healthy and safe space for Black women who may be feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or depressed.

Taraji has long been an advocate for mental health and therapy for the Black community and she has expressed her own battle with mental health on many different occasions. She even told Entertainment Tonight about her suicide ideation back in 2020. This is one example of many that shows anyone can be affected by mental health and we should show love and support to those within our sphere of influence when something is just “not right.” To help improve your mental health and the health of well-being of those around you, the WWL encourages the following (Tartakovsky, 2022):

  • Getting enough sleep (generally 7 – 9 hours nightly)
  • Spending less time engaged with social media
  • Strengthening your relationships with those are supportive of you
  • Staying active with exercise most days (generally 30 minutes daily)
  • Drinking plenty of water (8+ cups daily)
  • Knowing when to relax, de-stress, and seek help (overcoming previous experiences and advocating for yourself and loved ones)
  • Going outside for sunlight and fresh air

Let’s all work to prevent mental illnesses and build mental resilience by following general health and wellness tips offered by trusted sources. Additionally, it is “OK” and normal to need the help and support of positive and healthy people in your network. As the good song says,…”we all need somebody to lean on.” Finally, seek the support of professionals and if in crisis, use the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Resources

NIMH. (2023, March). Mental Illness. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness#part_2540

SAMHSA. (n.d.). Black/African american. SAMHSA. https://www.samhsa.gov/behavioral-health-equity/black-african-american

Tartakovsky, M. (2022, May 2). 8 daily habits for Improved Mental Health. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/habits-to-improve-mental-health#sleep

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Beauty

Hair Straighteners: What you NEED to know

By reginiad on

Reginia Dodson | UAB Community Health and Human Services Intern

Photo by Dellon Thomas on Pexels.com

The use of alleged natural products to straighten African American women’s hair seems somewhat formidable in nature but also seems important knowing the composition of hair and its structure that deems safe. The natural products used to straighten the hair are an alternative that may seem safe because of the term “natural” being used. The bottom line is that they all contain duplicate chemicals that will eventually become formaldehyde when heated. Most treatments won’t last long, meaning that after about 6 months the results will start to wash out, yet they claim to be free of harmful chemicals. Certain types of hair straightening methods may not cause cancer to most females but in turn, it will cause damage to the hair that is irrespirable and cause hair loss because the follicle is severely damaged. If the hair begins to grow back it will look drastically different from the straightened hair therefore meaning that another hair straightening must be applied to look coherent with the growth that is new.

Permanent hair straightening doesn’t mean it last forever. The results of hair straightening vary widely and are dependent upon the hair type and texture, meaning the life cycle of hair determines how long it will lay. Using hair straightening products is solely up to the consumer and what they are willing to sacrifice in order to get that look or to keep up with the current trend that’s acceptable or cool. Hair weave and extensions have become a healthier substitute or alternative as opposed to hair straightening products and chemicals because they need no chemicals to maintain the straight-hair appeal (Gathers, et.al,2014)

The National Institute of Health reported in 2022 that African American women had an increased risk of getting hormone-related cancer from applying products using hair straightening chemicals and dyes. The cancer most prevalent in African American women from this study was found to be uterine cancer. The frequency of cancer from using these hair straightening products was double that of their counterparts. The terms used to identify, and disguise these cancerous product sources are commonly known as perms or relaxers. African American women are more susceptible to these cancers from extended use over a long period of time because these treatments tend to straighten the hair present and not the hair being grown such as “new growth.”

There are several types of hair straightening methods:

  • Professional hair straightening (permanent) Salon appointment usually takes about two hours dependent upon the length of hair ($50)
  • At-Home hair straightening relaxing kits that are chemical based with the same results as the salon visit ($15)
  • Keratin hair straightening and Brazilian Blowouts straighten hair similar to other hair straightening methods but require several salon visits for completion of the application and last at least 3 to 5 months before a redo ($150)
  • Japanese Therma Straightening known as an “acid perm” requires 5 to 6 hours at a salon but lasts up to 6 months. This method uses a neutralizer that causes the hair to lock into a new shape ($200-800)
  • Hair Rebounding converts hair that is curly and wavy to straight in about 2 to 4 hours. This process uses formaldehyde which is a known cancer-causing agent but is able to straighten the hair much faster than all the other processes. The cost varies from ($250-1000) (Watson, 2023)

The most important thing to remember any time you are using products is do your research! Find a technique that is both affordable and safe for you.

References:

Gathers, C.R. & Mahan, M.G. (2014, Sep) African American Women, Hair Care, and Health

Barriers. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4174916/

Watson, K. (2023, May) Everything You Want to Know About Permanent Hair Straightening. https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/permanent-hair-straightening

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