emileedle's review against another edition
The information in this book is so valuable but I'm just too busy with school to really dedicate time to listen. I'll try to pick it up later!
3littlewordz's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
3.75
The Unapologetic Guide to Black Mental Health by Dr. Rheeda Walker was my pick for Mental Health Awareness month (in May, though I finished it in June). I think this is great resource for any black person (but especially black women) who have not been exposed to therapy or are opposed to exploring therapy as an option. It is also helpful for anyone that has been struggling and cannot seem to articulate what they've been struggling with. The most helpful chapters for me were 11 and 12, which provided concrete tools to use when you're overwhelmed. Overall, I've previously read about or been exposed to (through therapy) a majority of what was discussed in the book. I also think this is focused on a particular subset of the Black population, particularly the chapter on spirituality. I would definitely recommend to any Black person struggling emotionally that may not be ready to take the leap into therapy. This book might be the push one needs.
aliciakindlereads's review
4.0
Informative
I’m giving this a 4 star because I was expecting resources and suggestions throughout the book. I got them last 2 chapters of the book. Overall the book brought awareness to Mental Health and how to recognize it. I don’t think I got what I needed out of it because I have more insight into the MH field so a lot of the things that were mentioned, I already knew. I would still recommend to all due to the fact that we or someone we know is/can be affected and this book gives insight on how to be that friend for someone and to be able to call on someone.
I’m giving this a 4 star because I was expecting resources and suggestions throughout the book. I got them last 2 chapters of the book. Overall the book brought awareness to Mental Health and how to recognize it. I don’t think I got what I needed out of it because I have more insight into the MH field so a lot of the things that were mentioned, I already knew. I would still recommend to all due to the fact that we or someone we know is/can be affected and this book gives insight on how to be that friend for someone and to be able to call on someone.
ardavis414's review
3.0
Dr. Walker’s book is a great intro guide for mental health for Black people. Black folks, specifically Black women, are just as likely to experience mental illness as other racial groups but are less likely to reach for treatment. I think that this is a wonderful resource for Black women who normally don’t trust the medical establishment and therefore will reach out for support from their religious leaders before scheduling an appointment with a therapist. While pastors and reverends may provide marriage counseling to couples, they are rarely qualified to counsel their parishioners on their mental health. Dr. Walker is absolutely right to point this out.
Despite its benefits, this book wasn’t really for me. It didn’t provide any new material that I didn’t already know. Also, I’m not religious. Dr. Walker simply believes that a person without religious faith has a higher likelihood of having intent to self-harm or die by suicide. I respectfully disagree. However, I’m sure that someone with deep ties to their religious faith would appreciate this guide more.
Despite its benefits, this book wasn’t really for me. It didn’t provide any new material that I didn’t already know. Also, I’m not religious. Dr. Walker simply believes that a person without religious faith has a higher likelihood of having intent to self-harm or die by suicide. I respectfully disagree. However, I’m sure that someone with deep ties to their religious faith would appreciate this guide more.
readalotwritealot's review against another edition
5.0
Am I the intended audience for this book? Nope.
But when a friend said this book is a must read for ALL people, I grabbed a copy from the library. Because I love reading books that I’m not the intended audience for, especially when they are about mental health.
Like most mental health books, this one addressed lots of great specifics on how to get help, self-help, and even meds. But what this book did differently was it didn’t come from a place of whiteness being the norm (like many mental health books). Instead it discussed culture, church, racism and history.
I loved that this book didn’t sugarcoat anything. Walker came right out talking about suicide in the first chapter and citing stats about how the suicide rate is higher among Black children than white children. She discussed the stigma of discussing mental health in the Black community and she had two chapters focused on racism.
While I think there is a wealth of information here, I think for me those two chapters on racism were the ones I got the most from. And I totally agree with my friend, this is a must read for all. And it would make a great addition to your Mental Health Awareness Month TBR.
But when a friend said this book is a must read for ALL people, I grabbed a copy from the library. Because I love reading books that I’m not the intended audience for, especially when they are about mental health.
Like most mental health books, this one addressed lots of great specifics on how to get help, self-help, and even meds. But what this book did differently was it didn’t come from a place of whiteness being the norm (like many mental health books). Instead it discussed culture, church, racism and history.
I loved that this book didn’t sugarcoat anything. Walker came right out talking about suicide in the first chapter and citing stats about how the suicide rate is higher among Black children than white children. She discussed the stigma of discussing mental health in the Black community and she had two chapters focused on racism.
While I think there is a wealth of information here, I think for me those two chapters on racism were the ones I got the most from. And I totally agree with my friend, this is a must read for all. And it would make a great addition to your Mental Health Awareness Month TBR.