AUSTIN, Texas — Anxiety and depression are words that are often thrown around, as are Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Bipolar disorder.
But for many experiencing symptoms from any of the mental illnesses listed above, it very rarely looks the same for everyone.
For example, when Austin Councilmember Natasha Harper-Madison (District 1) made the announcement back in September that she would be taking a 60-day mental health leave, many Austinites were likely surprised.
But for the councilwoman, it was something deep down she knew she had to do.
"I think folks just don't know what that means. You know, just like snowflakes. You know, every person's ailment is unique and different." said Harper-Madison.
It was not an easy decision to make, as Harper-Madison cited the stigma and fear surrounding mental health.
However, it was that fear that she turned into a tool, when she finally allowed herself to make the decision back in September and take a leave of absence to get her health back in order.
"The amount of fear and hesitation really led me to think so much more about just how much stigma there is associated with not feeling great," said Harper-Madison.
That stigma is felt greatly in the black community, according to Harper-Madison.
"The stigma around mental health and wellness and black and brown communities, frankly, is just so great that it provides a barrier for black and brown folks to seeking help and recognizing when there really is something that you can't overlook," said Harper-Madison.
On the National Alliance on Mental Health website, they reference the American Psychiatric Association’s Mental Health Facts for African-Americans guide, which states that black adults are:
- Less likely to receive guideline-consistent care
- Less frequently included in research
- More likely to use emergency rooms or primary care (rather than mental health specialists)
Harper-Madison said gievn the position she is in, there is a great deal of weight on her shoulders that leads to depression, anxiety and even Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and no one is immune to it.
However, they do have the power to seek help.
"Sometimes you feel like you're doing your best to be as strong as you can that day and don't realize that you're overlooking signs of an illness," said Harper-Madison.
An illness she was able to address and gave her the tools to get her life back on track.
"Giving yourself permission to say no, to say you can't do it. You don't have the time, the bandwidth, the capacity," said Harper-Madison.
Since coming back on the dais, the council member said she is doing 'really well,' and hopes to keeping serving the people who elected her because for Harper-Madison, she knows with a new year comes new struggles, and hopes more people are able to have these complicated and uncomfortable conversations with a bit of kindness.
"My hope is that something that people remember is that behind everybody's eyes and smile, there's a story and there's an experience. There's a person," said Harper-Madison.
If you or someone you know is facing a mental health crisis or is looking for resources, you can check the National Alliance on Mental Health for Texas or you can call the suicide and mental health crisis hotline at 9-8-8.