My heart hurts for Dr. Debi Thomas for many reasons. Number one is her battle to accept she needs help for mental illness. Denial is common with many diagnosis--even if you are a doctor. It stagnates if the diagnosis is mental illness.Iyanla Vanzant of Iyanla Fix my Life, on OWN , who I thought was very empathetic and compassionate towards, Dr. Thomas, stated she was stagnated. Imagine being someone expected to live up to the world's expectations--including her own. To me it would seem an even harder diagnosis to accept.
As the 'poster child' for African Americans in a white dominated sport and then a profession, Debi lived in a glass house. While living in the glass house she was expected to break the glass ceiling. We no longer use the phrase "credit to your race", but we sure do live out what the phrase meant. Iyanla Vanzant noted how she was a part of American history.
Dr. Thomas repeatedly said, "I did the best I could do". Oftentimes individuals suffering from a mental disorder repeat their past as if they are on a roller coaster ride and can't get off. It's like listening to one record over and over again. At the same time they are unable to deal with the current realities present in their lives.
Mental Illness among African American women is steadily increasing. I agree, it is increasing across all groups. However, there are different dynamics and nuances involved among this group that need to be addressed.
I've been having this conversation and researching this topic for over a year. I'm discussing it on my show Making the Connection Host Pamela Cone on Nov 23 @3:00 pm ET for a filmed extended deliberative dialogue session. I invite you to tune in for this important conversation.
I pray Dr. Thomas gets the help she needs to live the life she envisioned for herself and to reunite with her family.
http://dialogueonmentalillness.weebly.com
#PamelaCone#MakingtheConnection #WWSU1069
As the 'poster child' for African Americans in a white dominated sport and then a profession, Debi lived in a glass house. While living in the glass house she was expected to break the glass ceiling. We no longer use the phrase "credit to your race", but we sure do live out what the phrase meant. Iyanla Vanzant noted how she was a part of American history.
Dr. Thomas repeatedly said, "I did the best I could do". Oftentimes individuals suffering from a mental disorder repeat their past as if they are on a roller coaster ride and can't get off. It's like listening to one record over and over again. At the same time they are unable to deal with the current realities present in their lives.
Mental Illness among African American women is steadily increasing. I agree, it is increasing across all groups. However, there are different dynamics and nuances involved among this group that need to be addressed.
I've been having this conversation and researching this topic for over a year. I'm discussing it on my show Making the Connection Host Pamela Cone on Nov 23 @3:00 pm ET for a filmed extended deliberative dialogue session. I invite you to tune in for this important conversation.
I pray Dr. Thomas gets the help she needs to live the life she envisioned for herself and to reunite with her family.
http://dialogueonmentalillness.weebly.com
#PamelaCone#MakingtheConnection #WWSU1069