It’s a no-brainer that good health is essential and must be the top priority. What can you accomplish, with quality, in poor health? This includes all types of health: physical, mental, spiritual, etc. If you are not healthy, it is unlikely that you will sustain a well-balanced life. This does not mean that you can’t work on other areas of personal development while you are working on your health. However, it does mean you should put health (and safety) first, at all times.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) are great resources to help you make informed decisions regarding the health of you and your family.
TIP: All abuse (substance, verbal, physical, etc.) impacts health. Be mindful of what you say and do to others, especially your children, to ensure you do not abuse them unintentionally (i.e. verbal abuse).
HEALTH
African Americans & Suicide
Suicide was the second leading cause of death for African Americans ages 15-24 in 2017. Suicide rates increased 233% for African Americans between 1980 and 1995 (US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, 2019).
Due to unmet needs and other barriers, African Americans sometimes experience more severe mental conditions. A lack of knowledge causes many African Americans to be ashamed of mental health conditions, view them as a sign of weakness, and/or believe they have them as a punishment. As a result, few want to discuss or acknowledge mental health issues (Psychiatry.org, 2020). Many African Americans are suffering because of it. I say all this to say, mental health is real! The impact can be fatal! Please take it seriously!