Eating too much or not wanting to eat at all
Thinking about or attempting suicide
While both men and women can become depressed,
the signs can be very dierent. Men may be more likely
than women to be exhausted and irritable, avoid the
things they used to enjoy, lose sleep, and use alcohol
or drugs to cope. They also may become frustrated,
discouraged, reckless, angry, and sometimes abusive.
Some bury themselves in their work to avoid talking
about their depression with family or friends.
Statistics
Adult African Americans are 20 percent more likely
to report serious psychological distress than adult
Whites are.
Adult African Americans living in poverty are
two to three times more likely to report serious
psychological distress than those not living in
poverty.
Among men aged 18–44 who had daily feelings
of anxiety or depression, non-Hispanic Black and
Hispanic men (26.4 percent) were less likely than
non-Hispanic White men (45.4 percent) to have
used mental health treatments.
Suicide is the third leading cause of death for
African American males ages 15 to 24.
African American men ages 20 to 24 have the
highest suicide rate among African Americans of all
ages, male and female.
African American teenagers are more likely to
attempt suicide than are White teenagers.
Young African Americans are much less likely than
White youth to have used a mental health service in
the year during which they seriously thought about
or attempted suicide.
Causes of Depression
Depression can have a combination of causes,
including stress, negative thinking patterns, other
illnesses, a family history of mental health issues, drug
and alcohol abuse, brain chemistry, hormones, and
surroundings and life experiences, including trauma or
abuse. Mental health problems have nothing to do with
laziness, weakness, or character aws.
Brother, You’re on My Mind is a partnership between NIMHD and the Omega Psi Phi
Fraternity, Inc. The initiative is intended to raise awareness of the mental health challenges
associated with depression and stress that aect African American men and their families.
How to Manage Stress
Stress is often associated with depression. Sometimes,
if not managed well, it can lead to symptoms of
depression. Therefore, it is very important to learn how
to manage stress on a regular basis. Examples of how
you can manage stress:
Stay in touch with people who can provide
emotional and other support, including friends,
family, and community or religious organizations.
Get proper health care for existing or new health
problems.
Set priorities: Decide what must get done and what
can wait, and learn to say no to new tasks if they
are putting you into overload.
Note what you have accomplished at the end of
the day, not what you have been unable to do.
Avoid dwelling on problems. If you can’t do this on
your own, seek help from a qualied mental health
professional who can guide you.
Exercise regularly—just 30 minutes per day of
easy walking or other exercise can help boost your
mood and reduce stress.
Schedule regular times for healthy and relaxing
activities.
Recognize signs of your body’s response to stress,
such as diculty sleeping, increased alcohol and
other substance use, being easily angered, feeling
depressed, and having low energy.
Explore stress coping programs, which may
incorporate meditation, yoga, tai chi, or other gentle
exercises.
How to Address Depression
A doctor or other health professional may be able to
diagnose and treat depression or refer you to other
mental health services, such as counseling or talk
therapy. Try to see someone as soon as possible;
research shows that getting treatment sooner rather
than later can relieve symptoms more quickly and
reduce how long treatment is needed. Individual, family,
or employer health insurance can help cover costs, and
community or student health centers can provide basic
