Dang I didn’t realize she has those problems going on. I really hope and pray she gets the help she deserves.

Its sad to hear what has become of Maia Campbell but now atleast she can get the help she needs. But mental illness affect all of us not matter what race you are no one is immune to them I hope her situation spreads light to this issue.

but what I want to know is…where were her friends? her family? her past co-workers? didn’t she have ANYONE who could have helped her?

Some sad shit!….She’s probably this way because her career hasnt catastroped the way she wanted it to. She hasnt had a role since “In The House”. I pray for Ms. Maia

Wishin her a speedy recovery

I’m glad Maia is now receiving treatment for her addiction and mental illness. I watched the video and what is really sad is that black people see her condition and do nothing to help her, but put videos like this on the internet to exploit her in front of the world our people would rather laugh at her with a camera in her face than offer her any type of help. We are out own worst enemy and we all need prayer.

Damn, Damn, Damn (Good Times)…LL Cool J please help her…Damn! So sad…

mental illness is not related to how successful you are, it is something a person has no control over. With help (be it medication, professional therapist etc) sometimes a person can lead a successful life. I’m sure many people love her especially her family and friends. i like her a lot and i only saw her on tv! So, to ask Where are her friends and family is just ignorant and hurtful. I’m sure they are there praying for her everyday. You can’t love away any illness. My heart goes out to them and anyone dealing with an illness.

I hope she gets the treatment she needs,god help her.

wow… i saw the video and it reminds me so much of my aunt who was in that situation for so many years and is managing her illness now… its so hard sometimes to get them help especially when they refuse it… my prayers go out to her and her family that she can overcome this

Yes it is so sad! She did have 1 other role besides In the House. Last I saw her was on the Disney movie with Tia, Tamera, and Tajh Mowry called 17 Again. It’s still so unfortunate how it seems her mental illness has consumed her. You’d be so surprised @ the things people struggle with on a constant everyday basis besides the normal everydady struggles that we all battle with from day to day. I pray she gets better. God Bless.

I believe her mother, Bebe Moore Campbell, died of cancer in 2006

@ #8, if what you said is directed towards me, and i believe it is, how is that ignorant or hurtful? and please read what i said properly. i asked where WERE they, as in the PAST. Where were they when she fell into prostitution and drugs. I wasn’t referring to the mental disorder. and why is she only getting help NOW?

I saw that video of her a couple of weeks ago. I’m glad that she’s getting help.

Excellent post CL. I know a few people with mental disorders and it’s tough for all involved. I’m glad to hear that Maia is receiving treatment for her issues.

Thanks for posting. The Black Community doesn’t like to address these issues. I have twin cousins who are mentally ill. Both went to Ivy League schools and are very, very intelligent but they suffered in silence cause they were embarrassed. We (the family) didn’t know til a few years ago when one was living on the streets…literally..it had gotten that bad but no one wanted to tell anyone. They have a half sister who has the same illness. So I guess it can be genetic.

Its a shame that the guy put on her blast like that (making that video), but what the devil means for evil, the lord always turns it around for good. I’m glad she’s getting treated. And I’m quite sure that the person who recored is very ashamed because people have been going hard him, and they should.

Don’t you guys see that this post is bigger than Maia? Although I’m sure her family and friends are thankful for all the well wishes, this post is not directed solely at her, but on the black community AS A WHOLE using her situation as an example since it was the most recent.

CL I appreciate posts like this, black history spotlight, graduates, and any other post that is informative and uplifting.

The Lord willl know what to do. Just keep praying 4 her

Its real refreshing how CL really posts on everything besides just random pics of celebs. I think this issue really digs into who we need to uplift each other as people instead of costantly downing each other. Yeah, I’m guilty of that at times, but really if somebody is dealing with any situation or problem I think we should try and help that person. Never know when you’ll need that helping hand.

There is a distrust of the medical field for us and its not like it is unfounded. It can be hard to find a health care provider you trust. I hope Maia gets better.

She still a beautiful woman. Im glad she is getting help she deserves. The dudes that made their video. ha what goes around comes around.

She lost her mother back in 2006 and ever since she has been like this. I hope she gets it together and than comeback into the spotlight and just do it big and show the losers what she is all about.

Well written!!!!!! I feel so much more aware and the Syphillis things shocked me. Thanks to you guys for keeping the young community Black or White aware of the social issues!

Like someone else said, mental illness just does not develop because of the lack of someone’s success. the truth of the matter is, her mother( Author Bebe Campbell Moore) wrote a book on this issue a few years before her death, called 72hr Hold. It was a great book. It has been said that it was actually about Maia, who has been battling this sadly for some time now. Such a beautiful young woman. I am just glad they were able to get her into a facility for help before she ended up being another lost tragedy. She may have had it under control when she was compliant with her medications. Also the passing of her mom could not have been easy on her also. ‘The best of luck to her.

THANKS FOR THIS POST, CAUSE SOME LIGHT MOS DEF NEEDS TO BE SHED ON THIS TOPIC…STOP BEING AFRAID OF HELP AND GET IT!

Glad she is getting help but she seems more schizo than anything

First let me say…this is why I appreciate ConcreteLoop…because it is more than the celebrity drama.

To see this video is very sad. Very very very sad. And Maia needs to find help. But not the kind of help that we all have grown accustom to. Frankly, I hate doctors…but more than half of them are in it for the $$$ not to help. And besides, if she goes to the doctor they will only prescribe her medicine (even if she goes to a shrink)…thats about it!

What happened to her support system?! People like her are like that because of the lack of support they receive. There usually alone and rarely interact with others, so they don’t get a chance to work on their social skills. Further more…she is HANGING AROUND THE WRONG PEOPLE! That dude, is a mess, his nephew is a mess, everyone participating in this is a mess. And that is the last place place shorty needs to be. I pray that her parents stay more involved in her life. She needs to be around positive people, that understands her situation, and loves her enough to not mess with it.

Sheesh.

If she really wants change, she will need to work hard! Stop using the drugs (which she is probably using to level out the emotional rollercoaster) and really tackle these issues head on! And you’re right J.Dakar…there need to be more African-Americans in other elements of society. It’s cool, but everyone can’t be in the limelight… there needs to be a Black teacher, businessman, doctor, counselor, etc…. because these roles also affect our future. And there is no one who can better teach Black-Americans people about being a Black-American than a Black-American.

Coming from a Black, licensed social worker, I’m shocked that only 4 percent of social workers are black. Although most of the clients I see in individual therapy are black due to the area in which I practice ( Washington D.C. Metro), I definately agree with the article in general. Black people believe there is a stigma associated with receiving mental health treatment. I disagree. Hell, even therapists have a therapist! Do this for yourself and your mental health!

This is such a great post. My heart goes out to Maia and her family and when I saw the internet buzz about her my heart just dropped. As a community we tend to keep things bottled up because some things are taboo. Mental health is not just in your mind, it is also a chemical imbalance. By being too ashamed or proud to seek help, we are keeping ourselves from so much freedom and happiness. This also goes to the whole healthcare issue as well, and speaks to the fact that we can NOT afford to let things go on the way they have been.

I was honestly just thinking about her the other day on what she was up too. I hope everything works out for her, such a pretty young lady.

I pray that all goes well with her. Her situation is so sad…and I hope that people began to realize that mental illness is a medical problem that needs to be addressed by capable doctors, along with family, and those who provide spirtual support…It’s a serious problem.

OMG! I just watched the video & HOW SAD! That is a serious problem. When i watched it I got tears in my eyes literally and my mouth dropped along with my heart. I hope her being in re-hab helps her and my heart goes out to her & her family.

I HOPE SHE GETS BETTER, IM NOT GONE SAY PRAY BECAUSE I WILL PROBABLY FORGET TO PRAY FOR HER. BUT ANYWAYS ITS SOME PEOPLE ON THIS SITE WHO I THINK HAVE MENTAL ISSUES JUST FROM THEIR COMMENTS SO I HOPE ALL BLACK PEOPLE STEP IT UP AND STOP BEING EMBARRASSED ABOUT THINGS LIKE THIS.

Wow I hope everything works out for her she is such a talented person.

@# 4. DJ,

Her ILLNESS has absolutely nothing 2 do with her rising or falling career.
Did you not read the whole entire post?
She suffers from BIPOLAR DISORDER/MANIC DEPRESSION & SCHIZOPHRENIA,
i;e MENTAL ILLNESS!!!!
Maia’s ILLNESS has nothing 2 do with her career, she was already popping!
She’s actually been MENTALLY ILL 4 a loOong time. Her ILLNESS took a turn 4 the worst, not because of her career, but because of her mother’s passing.
After her mother (whom she was very close to) died, Maia somehow lost her way, but hey, that’s where we all come in…………to give her all the love, caring & suport that we can give………….WITH THE POWER OF PRAYER!

“With all of my heart, soul & spirit, you’ll continue to be in my prayers Maia !”

“GOD” BLESS YOU, & YOUR LOVED ONES.

AMEN.

@35

“We tend to rely on family, religious or social communities for emotional support, rather than turning to health care professionals.”

Our prayers are not going to help this girl. She needs a professional. After she gets the help she needs then we should pray that she stays well.

this post is beyond maia.

we really need to look at ourselves and evaluate what’s going on with family and friends who are going through similar circumstances as maia’s. alot of us tend to sweep these problems under the rug and it is not fair.

as someone battling a mental illness myself, i feel that it’s important that black people recognize this as a very important issue.

thanks j. dakar for posting.

@ 35, I’, sure her mom passing might have triggered an onset of a once control condition in her life. When tramauntic events happens in one’s life it can trigger an onset

Unfortunately,

I’m all too familiar with this particular post, because I too am currently suffering from my own mental illness (Severe Depression Anxiety/Social Phobia & Panic Attacks).
I’m now 28 & I’ve been suffering with these illnesses (in silence) 4 about 16 years.
I’ve always been sick, but my illnesses took a turn 4 the worst when I was 13.
I didn’t seek therapy until I was 20 or 21. I had a nervous breakdown, I don’t know what happened, all I know is I was upset about something that was small & minor, but my reaction was huge, major an sort of out of controll. My mother was confused, she didn’t know what to do, so she called 1 my sister 4 help. My sister came over, we talked, I told her that I think I’m sick, I think somethings seriously wrong with me,
& I need help etc; etc;……….and that was the night that I finally admitted that I was sick.
Now I’ll be honest, I’m not completely cured (I wish I was, but unfortunately, I’m not).
From the age of 20/21 to now, I’ve been in & out of therapy, mainly because of embarrassment. I’m currently in therapy right now, but I can see myself slowly drifting away from it, because I can’t seem 2 controll these humiliating feelings I have when I’m sitting in the waiting room with the other patients. I see some them rocking back & 4th & I see others talking 2 themselves and it overwhelmes me hard. Everytime I go 4 my appointments, I just sit there watching these people & I think 2 myself “I don’t belong here, I’ve got 2 get the hell away from here,”
and unfortunately, that’s what I do sometimes…………I bounce. If I could just get past the embarrassment, then maybe I can finally make some progress.
Sorry 4 talking a hole in you guy’s heads, but I just wanted 2 share my current story 2 show that even in the black community, Mental Illness is not a game.

Oh my goodness!! What happen to her?!? Seems like a totally different person. I pray that she gets the treatment she deserves. #39 I feel you and I’ll pary for you too. I too suffer from depression, but this is kind of out there. Good luck to you!!

I don’t think it’s the fact that alot of people don’t want the help, it’s the pain of dealing with health care and the doctors. I don’t suffer from mental issues but I do have health issues that keep me in the doctors office frequently, as a matter of a fact I just literally got back from a doctors appointment right now that’s why I found this post so interesting. But with all the co-pays and the sterile minded, indecisive doctors, and countless pills. It gets expensive and tiring having to keep up with everything.

DEPRESSION IS SOMETHING I CAN RELATE TOO ,PERSONALLY IT DOES TAKE A TOLL ON YOU PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY, GLAD MAIA IS GETTING HELP MINUS ALL THE NEGATIVES HOPEFULLY HER VIDEOS CAN REACH OUT TO THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING FROM WATEVA CAUSE

AND GET HELP.

Thank you CL for bringing this to the spotlight. And I feel aweful for her! She has a disorder and her mother Bebe Campbell Moore kept her together but she passed away from a brain tumor. I wish her the best, I really do.

I am glad that you all touched on this. I work in the MH field as a therapist and it carries such a stigma. you hear preachers dissing MH professionals and families shying away from treatment. It is very important to provide people with as much support as you can while they are having these issues. Keep our community informed…Thanks!

LORD PLEASE HELP ME…you are in my prayers…step one is admitting and you have admitted that embarrassment keeps you away, so discuss that with your therapist. Even if you feel like you do not belong there, be grateful that you have the opportunity to be there getting the help you need.

Good for her, on getting help finally. However, black people are strong, but we have forgotten what held us up through the pain and depression. We dont need medications like white folks. We dont need to let some doctor tell us that we are bi polar. If that is the case everybody is bi polar, because everybody has ups and downs thru life. When shit happends it happends, pray and keep it pushin, talk to god , family or friends. Let all of the pain and misery go by talking about it. Black people we are not mental, we are giving up to fast and want a quick fix, like a medications or drugs…thats just my opinion.

this is so true. im a mental health counselor and black people avoid our office like the plague. unless they’ve been forced by DFCS or some other agency, they do not come.

Why don’t we make awareness to every “community” instead of just one? I don’t see myself as part of a community. My community is everyone in this World and the whole World should be aware of all these things. Help one another.

Black people ARE mental…have u not read the post? At the end of the day we ALL have problems..black or white, sometime u need someone to talk to, friends and family are not professionals..it can be deep, and friends and fam dont always have the answers….and not everyone has friends or fam, then what? Pray works, but it always needs a force to back it up. Great Post..

@ 24 thank you for reminding people, that should’ve been posted as well. I sometimes wonder if that’s what Britney Spears’s issue was.

GREAT POST! I’m glad Maia is finally getting help. We all need to start taking mental health more seriously. Family and religion can only do but so much. Some need professional help, people who understand clearly what the problem is and how to deal with it.

im pretty sure her mom was mentally ill also… maybe schizo or bipolar. i didnt know she was prostituting tho. so many people self medicate with drugs to try to level themselves out when they’re bipolar cuz they go from one extreme to the other. she’s so beautiful i hope she does well with the proper care.

and please continue to hang on and continue ur therapy “lord please help me”.. it can be managable… u just gotta keep pressing day by day. hell moment to moment if u have to… stay close to God.

J. Dakar, Angel and Concreteloop family,

Great post!! I am really glad that you touched on this issue!!! I am currently in a PhD psychology program and, as one of few minorities, this subject is much needed!!! Of course, I have a vested interest in this topic because I will soon be a psychologist (*fingers crossed*). I personally believe that there should be more awareness on this subject; particularly as it pertains to our community. There are a plethora of myths and misconceptions regarding mental health issues and services. One that is particularly pertinent is the notion that seeking help contradicts religion or spirituality. This is not the case!! We can use our belief and faith as support and as a way to enhance therapy! Both religion/spirituality and therapy offer slightly different kinds of support, but the end result is the same — to help us heal, cope, and become better human beings!! The best thing we can do in this society is spread the message about mental health issues in an effort to reduce the stigma associated with seeking help!! Once again, I thank you for this post and hope that this is one of many efforts to spread the word on mental health and the black community!

Oh, BTW, I realize that there is mistrust in our community which stems from issues such as the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment. From a historical perspective, it makes sense that black people, in general, tend to lack trust in mental health professionals. That is why it is especially important that we have more black people and minorities in general working in the mental health field!! Lately, there has been an emphasis on multicultural awareness and training in many counseling and psychology programs for ALL students; in an effort to increase multicultural sensitivity and competence. Unfortunately, this is not often as successful as it could be. Given this fact, the increase of minority mental health professionals is much needed and may help to alleviate some of the mistrust in our community.

One more thing I wanted to discuss….sorry for all of the posts!!

#39, Lord Please Help Me: It is very brave of you to share your story, thank you for discussing. I want you to know that you have nothing to be ashamed of. I know it may seem difficult, but keep going to your sessions. If your are experiencing feelings of shame or embarrassment, this should be discussed with your therapist. This will actually make for a good discussion in your session. Hopefully, he/she will help you understand the depth of that emotion; where it could stem from.

Unfortunately, a misconception is that only “crazy” people need therapy. Truth be told, we could all benefit from discussing our stressors and “baggage” with an objective, trained listener (which is essentially a therapist). The reality is, if you are a human being, you have been hurt, stressed out, overwhelmed, confused, etc. Therapy is not just for individuals with psychotic disorders, but for anyone who needs an objective listener. Often times our family, friends, significant others, etc. may not be objective and are always attempting to tell us what you “should do”, even though they may mean well. It takes great strength and self awareness to realize you may need help and to seek it out.

What is it about Hollywood that makes people this way. I know not all, but with a large number of stars this sort of thing happens. I mean the life expectancy is really poor for some of them. Elvis, MJ, Anna Nicole, Kurt Cobain, and countless others. So sad to see her like this. That guy she is with did not protect her at all. He just sat there and let her be exploited and joined in on the abuse. She is hurting and can tell by the way she spoke about losing her mom and her daughter. I pray God protects her and gives her peace. So glad that her stepfather and grandmother is in touch and she is being treated. There is hope.

I am really rooting for her recovery from the drugs and hope that her mental state can be stabilized and improved with treatment. This sort of thing shouldn’t happen to someone like her, especially when she’s got a shit load of people who could have lent a helping hand. These celebrities are all phony, selfish and greedy. If there’s nothing in it for them, they want no part in it. I’m just surprised that neither one of her costars offered any assistance, or ever spoke about it to draw some attention to her case. I really, really pray she gets through this given her background. Thank CL for once again proving why your Blog isn’t just about RICH BLACK CELEBRITIES.

“For I get Brad Pitt to smack you in the mouth and ask you why you smiling nigga!”
Woooowwwww wtf????
I was just watching the old episodes of South Central that they show on TV One. Now I understand why her career never really took off. She is obviously a beautiful girl. The stress of hollywood probably triggered her episodes. Then the death of her mother really pushed her over the edge. I feel really bad for her. I hope she can get off of the drugs because they only make mental health issues ten times worse. Then I hope she gets really good psychiatric treatment. Intensive therapy, medication, and a good support system to make sure she remains compliant are what she needs. Poor girl.

Also I would love to know what happened to the black men that used to respect and protect black women instead of exploiting and degrading them like these fools are doing Maia. Ugh that really pisses me off!

So I love CL for posting this, but at the same time I’m sad that I am just learning about this because I thought about it all night and could not sleep. I found some more info and videos on her at http://www.skinnydipp.com/?p=231

It’s real sad. I used to love this girl and when she played in the movie Trippen with Countess Vaughn and homeboy from the Cosby show, I used to think damn, she got it all. I’m disgusted at how these guys are using and abusing her also. It’s just sad all together. She will be in my thoughts and prayers, celebrity or not, I hope she gets the treatment she needs.

I am a African American women living with Bipolar. First there are signs that someone is Bipolar. When anyone turns to drugs, child abuse, physical abuse bipolar characteristics are present. This type of abuse starts at home especially in the black community.

We as parents need to realize talking crazy to our kids, cussing at our children is a form on mental abuse. The abuse mentioned above will go into adult hood. Men will turn to gangs, and women turn to illicit sexual behavior.

The one thing that the black community needs to understand is when your love one turns to self-medication its Bipolar. I watched my nephew suffer from this illness and he committed suicide. All characteristics of Bipolar were present.

The thing that the black community can do is educate yourself!!!! The signs are there. Even though individuals don’t have health care that is not an excuse. Anyone can go to their local Mental Health Community and get drugs providing they are an activate participant in there own treatment. And if they refuse you can admit them to treatment. Everyone in their state has (probate court ). Even though probate court deals with property you can ask for an order to admit individuals against there will. I know we had to admit our aunt.

I am an activate participate in my own treatment. I am okay and i enjoy life to the fullest. I am hear to tell everyone it can be done.

Wow, this shows me alot. Humility makes you more human, because I honestly thought that the drugs were the only issue she had. I did not realize that she had a mental illness as well. I am going to pray for her as well. J Dakar, thanks for posting this story about her. All of the previous photos and footage of her made me angry and sad to see someone fall through the cracks. I am just sharing how I felt about the issue at first.

I didn’t realize that Bebe Campbell was her mother. It is nice to hear that her family is helping her recover.

As long as she gets the help, support and love that’s needed she will make it through!
Stay strong, you can make it Maia.

Peace!!

oh yeh, Maia was in a Broadway play after she left “In the House”, unfortunely I can’t remember which one, but she was excellent!!

Do anyone remeber the Broadway play she was in?

Sorry for my mispelled words…does anyone remember the Broadway Play she was in? Plus its on DVD.

Sad situation. I wish her well.

in all honesty, i believe kanye west is suffering from a mental disorder or some kind of behavioural problem. i don’t know who his real friends are or if he has real friends but he needs to be evaluated.

Thank you CL for posting more than just gossip. Mental Health issues are prevalent everywhere. How sad for Maia…such a beautiful woman. I truly pray she gets help. I know her poor mother was really concerned about this. One of her last books, 72 Hour Hold, touches upon a mother whose daughter suffers from bi-polar issues. It wasn’t supposed to be non-fiction, but it is quite evident that some of the situatins were things that she experienced with Maia.

It’s a good read b/c it explains how difficult it is to get someone who is over 18 forced mental health. Technically, a person can’t be kept unwillingly in a facility for more than 3 days…BUT if you’re not in your right not, of course, you’re not going to want to stay in a mental health facility…it’s such a catch 22.

All help is not lost though! I have a friend from high school who was diagnosed with schizophrenia in college. Becuase of it, he got into a legal issue which forced him into a facility rather than jail. Fortunatley for him, he is now managing his situation with medicine and is on his way to living a prductive, healthy life. Also, my mother-in-law is bi-polar and had serious bouts when my husband was a teenager- to the point of hospitalization, but she , too, is highly functioning and happy and healthy now (forever on medication) for over 15 years.

I pray Maia can get the real help she deserves, so she can get back to living her life.

I believe her mother wroth a book about mental illness called, 72 Hour hold, which was rumored to be about Maia’s illness. I’m so grateful that she is getting help but there are thousands of others who are still lost. I just wish her family would’ve helpled her long before the video hit the internet and embarassed her in front of thousands of people. You would be more surprised at how many families have mental illness and we call it, slow or just acting up, just trying to get attention, when these people need professional help. I hope Maia takes her time so that she can truly heal. God, please be with her. And I truly hope people are praying for her and judging or making fun of Maia’s situation.

This is a major, major issue to be address amoung the young and to the elder of our black community. Some of us do not seek help and try to self medicate with drugs, alchohol, even non prescribe prescription. We need to show more love and awareness to support. This will stop the crime rating of violence. I attend a college in Missouri to be able to help people who hold all the memories of the past in by using a substance to help the problem. 82% of people will not seek help because they are scared that they are going to be considererd crazy. i have an uncle who have multiple personalities untill he got old never had seek help and died of achoholism. Everyone just thought it was just him being him. We just learn to acccept this and then carry on but face the consequences. Everyone has the one family member that you are like something is not right, stop!!! and think (positive) and try to get them help. Hang close and let them know you are there because in eyes of the lord we are all Gods’ children. Wake up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for this post CL!

Mental Health issues really do need to be addressed within the black community. This post, if you people would read it the way it was SUPPOSED to be read, was about just that. Maia is just an example when there are many, many more Maia’s out there!

Success/failure in career, school, or whatever does not “give” one a mental illness. Some people are born with chemical imbalances in their brain that do not show up until long after birth. Do you know what seratonin is? It is a brain chemical that controls our ability to be happy or sad. A person with Bi-Polar Disorder sees life in black and white, their seratonin is IMBALANCED. They have MANIC episodes which make them feel joyful and invincible. Then, instead of coming down from that like normal people, they crash instead into deep horrible depression. Seratonin Reuptake Inhibitors and the like (um, lithium and prozac, etc) BALANCE out this chemical so they can live full lives like the rest of us.

PRAYER DOES NOT WORK! I REPEAT — PRAYER DOES NOT WORK!!

Stop acting like depression is not something we do not suffer from, #47 LIZ E! Just stop it! Prayer?

See, religion is another thing that’s what’s wrong with the black community. We (well … y’all anyway lol) depend too much on someone that doesn’t even exist. Ain’t no DAMN god, so we have to GET OFF OUR AZZES and take care of each other. Two hands working accomplish more than a thousand clasped in prayer.

Pray for her? Seriously? If that is the case then pray to your god to STOP giving people mental illness. Why not pray for THAT instead since everybody is so dependent on it? Then let’s see what happens.

But I digress …

Anyway — YES black folks get sick this way. YES black folks kill themselves. YES black folks have mental health problems just like every other community. The difference is that the more we glamourize that “macho black man/strong black woman” STIGMA on our heads to keep smiling even when you’re crying inside, the more of us will end up just like Maia.

Get a clue, black folks. Now!

Let’s be for real here, a lot of people suffer from mental disorders and/or drug abuse. While it is a shame that she has been on this road, where were the people when she first started slipping? When she began prostituting, who kept in touch with her to make sure she was alright? If these people who “love” her now were there then, maybe, just maybe she would be better. Stop feeling sorry for people and get out and help them. Don’t just make her an exception because she has a famous face.

@ Aina
I agree with most of what you said EXCEPT for the part about there is no God. Sorry but I don’t see how you can wake up in the morning see the sun rise and declare such a thing.
However I do agree that people (especially black people) need to be more proactive in dealing with mental illness. Prayer is good but you still have to seek help. You can not pray a mental illness away. Some people really need medication so I don’t know why some are acting as if medication is a bad thing. Some people with mental illness are able to lead normal lives because of medications. There are also many people who are in the prisons all over the U.S. that actually have undiagnosed mental illnesses.

J.Dakar, thanks so much for such a necessary post! I have to aunts w/ mental illness. It is so sad to watch someone you love that you can’t help. The mental illness is a barrier to treatment, as Maia’s family wrote. Many times, the mentally ill won’t accept treatment, though they might know they need it.

I was diagnosed w/ a chronic illness in 05 that lead me to depression. In 07, my husband suggested we take advantage of free counseling on my job. It helped us both tremendously! We were able to talk out and learn to work thorugh so many underlying issues that we didn’t know were effecting us besides the fact that I was sick.

I hope this post will encourage others to do the same. As a people, we need to not ask irrelevant questions or past judgment, but seek out ways to help fix the problem.

I know this post is old now, but @ Lord Help Me and others suffering from Anxiety & Depression: There is a product/self help tool called the Midwest Center’s Attacking Anxiety and Depression program with Lucinda Basset. It is excellent. The truth of the matter is, there is only so much someone outside of yourself can do. Only you can do this program, only you can get inside your own head and start healing from within. It was a life saver for me. I was 10 when my symptoms started and was 24 when I finally got help through this program. I am now 29 and can say I feel “normal” - and often times am very positive and optimistic - more so than those around me and I am now in a position to help others as well.