Author’s Novel Increases Awareness of Depression in African Americans
Wednesday, 28 June 2006
Bebe Moore Campbell is a best selling African American novelist who has published a novel called 72 Hour Hold, in which an upscale Los Angeles shop owner has a daughter suffering from bipolar disorder. African Americans may have similar prevalence of bipolar disorder as other Americans, but may be less likely to be diagnosed and treated.
Campbell’s personal experience with a mentally ill relative inspired her novel, and has since co-founded a regional National Alliance on Mental Illness in Inglewood, California.
Kenneth Meeks of BlackEnterprises.com had an exclusive interview with Campbell to increase awareness of mental health issues within the black community. Important points from their interview included:
- In mental illness there are 2 affected parties: the patient and the caregiver
- Most still don’t want to “talk about it”
- Social Stigma is still the main reason why people don’t seek help or stay in treatment
- People do want support from the community
