Book Review #1

The Unapologetic Guide to Black Mental Health by Rheeda Walker PhD

I read this book in under two hours.

This book is about racism in mental health care, racism as a whole, mental health care as a whole, with some Christianity and some cognitive behavioral therapy, (CBT) sprinkled in.

Dr. Walker expresses how people hear the word mental or therapy and think crazy or insane asylum. Black people are disproportionately locked up in long term facilities (prisons, & mental health hospitals).

She tells the differences between suicidal thoughts/ideations, plans, and attempts. She states, “Black folks are less likely to plan and more likely to act impulsively."

I loved how she wrote "People do not "commit" suicide. Suicide is not a crime. People die by suicide."

This book outlines the SMART Goals method. It took me back to my coaching class, which is where I first learned of this model by G.T. Doran's from 1981.

All goals should be S=Specific, M=Measurable, A=Attainable, R=Realistic, T=Time-Oriented.

If a goal has all of those, you are more likely to achieve it.

The author touches on how you can’t stop someone from doing what they want to do, including dying by suicide. She says that every year 40,000 people die by suicide.

Some of the causes that contribute to suicide attempts are seeking validation from people or material things, excessive worrying, rumination, social anxiety, and specific fears (airplanes, snakes).

She goes over how YOU are the problem, as you are NOT your thoughts.

The book also covers how to shift your anxious perspective more towards a positive change.

Christianity is told in some parts of this book, with a Bible verse or two.

There are mentions of God.

She does state that talking to your Pastor is not the same as getting mental health care.

I agree with this!

A Pastor can listen and give advice, but he is not a licensed professional in the mental health field. (Some are, but most are not.)

This book even touches on how your body is affected by childhood trauma and by racism.

Black folks’ bodies perceive racism as unsafe and dangerous.

Dr. Walker ends the book discussing how we need to change the word “should” to “it would be helpful”.

This removes guilt.

“You are worth the effort, and your mind is your most powerful tool.” – Rheeda Walker, PhD

I recommend this book to everyone of all races, not just black people.

It’s for beginners.

People who are just starting to look into mental health treatment and looking to gain broad information about it.

The Unapologetic Guide to Black Mental Health is a quick read.

For the people who are advanced in the mental health field, it would just be a simple refresher for you.

I’d say it’s a 6 out of 10.

~Natasha BYTS