Category: Mental Health

This section will include information, data, facts, myths and tips on mental illness, self-improvement and more.

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From the Heart of The Radiant: My Secret Life Exposed: Getting the Help I Needed

Sharea Farmer, LCSW

Over the last few months I have been updating the blog to address issues of self-improvement and development.  During this process I have received great feedback and personal stories from my followers.  Thank you all for helping Radiant Sunshine; as we continue to improve we will be adding different contributors.  Our first contributor is an anonymous female living with mental illness.  Join me in welcoming this contributor as she shares her story…. My Secret Life Exposed: Getting the Help I Needed Mental illness is a huge stigma I wasn’t ready to deal with, but conquered with an open mind and … Continue reading From the Heart of The Radiant: My Secret Life Exposed: Getting the Help I Needed

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Suicide in the Black Community

Sharea Farmer, LCSW

Suicide in the Black Community This past year we’ve lost Soul Train creator Don Cornelius, Erica Kennedy, author of Bling and music executive Chris Lighty.  These deaths have highlighted the reality of suicide in the Black community.  Although there is some disagreement to the cause of death among these cases; it is still cause for concern.  The statement “Black people don’t commit suicide” is far from true. Over the last few years the suicide rate has fluctuated, but no matter how you look at it, in the last 15 years the rates of suicide has increased; especially amongst our Black … Continue reading Suicide in the Black Community

Awareness, Mental Health1 Comment

Schizophrenia in the Black Community

Sharea Farmer, LCSW

Schizophrenia in the Black Community When I first started working in mental health, I must admit, Schizophrenia was the area I had the least experience in.  I recall one of my first client’s with schizophrenia, Jack (fictitious name for the purpose of this blog).  Jack was a Black man in his late 30s with a college degree; he was an active member in his church and worked at the local grocery store stocking shelves.  When I met him the first time I remember thinking, “there is nothing wrong with this guy.”  However, that quickly changed once he decided that he … Continue reading Schizophrenia in the Black Community

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Bipolar in the Black Community

Sharea Farmer, LCSW

Bipolar in the Black Community As a professional in human services it is the most difficult thing in the world to watch people suffer when there is help out there.  This feeling is even worse when you have a personal relationship with this person.  For the last few years that is exactly what I have been dealing with in my own life.  I’ve watched this person have extreme mood swings, going from manic to depressive in what feels like the blink of an eye.  Over time, this person’s extreme ups and downs have pushed people away and literally damaged some … Continue reading Bipolar in the Black Community

Awareness, Mental Health6 Comments

Depression in the Black Community (World Mental Health Day)

Sharea Farmer, LCSW

Depression in the Black Community “You’re just a little sad.” “Things will get better, don’t worry.” “All you need to do is pray; God will work it out.” “You come from a strong line of people, we’ve survived slavery, Jim Crow and years of racism; you can get through this problem.” To someone suffering with depression, these statements can be hurtful, angering and very isolating.  Depression is far from slavery, genocide, or the institution of racism, but to some it can be very frightening with very real pain. Depression is a mood disorder that deals in the simplest terms with … Continue reading Depression in the Black Community (World Mental Health Day)