op-ed: the long lasting mental effects of police brutality

As we all know police brutality has been in the media quite often these days. While we know this has been going on forever technology has allowed us to see it more up close and personal. Videos of people being murdered and most recently an innocent 84 year old black woman being pepper sprayed, and handcuffed by the police in her own home has surfaced on the Internet. The whole ordeal gave her an anxiety attack.

This kind of thing is unfortunately not uncommon. Anxiety, depression, and ptsd can occur after very traumatic experiences. The black community is unfortunately very stigmatized when it comes to mental illness issues. The fact that many are being roughed up or killed by police is very much making our mental health issues even worse.

This can actually be problematic to those who have not even personally experienced police brutality. Just because you don’t necessarily suffer from mental illness does not mean your mental health cannot be at jeopardy. The fact that we can turn on the news and see another young brother or sister has been killed by the police can be very traumatizing. I’ll give you an example of what I mean.

The other day a Facebook friend of mine posted a status that she had just been stopped by the police. I read the comments that were being made. Everyone was anxious or worried asking if she was going to be alright. People were telling her to call them as soon as possible. To me it was truly sad because in this day and age a routine stop can mean being shot and killed.

Police brutality definitely has a long lasting impression on many. We must take care of ourselves in this day and age. If police brutality has caused any mental health issues for you please don’t be afraid to go get help. Talk to someone you trust. Remember that your mental health matters.

Here are four black mental health resources:

Blaque and Blue: https://www.facebook.com/blaqueandblue/

Black mental health alliance: https://www.facebook.com/Black-Mental-Health-Alliance-for-Education-Consultation-Inc-574492159266073/

No more martyrs: https://www.facebook.com/Join.No.More.Martyrs/

Depressed while black: https://www.facebook.com/DepressedWhileBlack/

*Jasmin Pierre is a 27-year-old mental health activist and author of the new self help book “A Fight Worth Finishing”. She is from New Orleans, Louisiana. Jasmin is constantly fighting for the rights of those suffering from major depressive disorder. She inspires to become a life coach and continue writing to encourage others to never give up.
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