As Mental Health Awareness Month continues, Anthony Anderson is reflecting on why conversations about psychological well being are important—notably for the Black neighborhood, as he says they “don’t talk about” it.
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His Mental Health Activism Relates To A Family Tragedy: “Maybe I Should Have Stepped In”
PEOPLE experiences that the Black-ish actor addressed the topic in the course of the current “It’s Okay Not To Be Okay” gala in Washington, D.C.
While talking on the occasion, Anderson shared what sparked his curiosity within the matter. Specifically, he acknowledged that his distant half-brother, who he “didn’t really have a relationship with,” handed away after coping with “mental issues.”
Anthony mentioned, “Now that he’s gone, I was like, ‘Well, you know, maybe I should have stepped in a little sooner than today and did something about it.’”
Due to this sentiment, he’s got down to “help bring awareness” to psychological well being, particularly “within the African-American community.” This rationale lies in his remark that psychological well-being is “something [they] really don’t talk about.”
“That’s why I’m here to help bring awareness about it, because within the African-American community, it’s something that we really don’t talk about.”
Anthony added, “I’m here to say it’s okay to not be okay. We are here for you.”
Anthony Anderson Says The Issue Can’t Be Ignored Anymore: “Let Them Know It’s Okay”
While persevering with to talk on the topic, Anderson reiterated that conversations about psychological well being are very important, particularly “within our community.” He additionally says whereas “all things are needed for this,” facilitating dialogue is especially vital.
Anthony then supplied an instance of how he believes psychological health-related points have historically been swept below the rug.
“We’ve all grown up where there’s been an aunt and uncle or family member that lived in the basement or stayed in the backroom that never really came out. We never really talked about it because of those issues.”
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However, Anthony Anderson is keen about serving to such individuals know that “it’s okay.” After all, he factors out, “We are family, we are a community.”
“But we should talk about those issues, and bring awareness to it and let them know that it’s okay, that they’re not a leper, that we are family, we are a community.”
Ultimately, he hopes to encourage “more conversations and dialogue about [mental health] that to bring it to the forefront.”