Iceberg...Not lettuce though!

What you see, is NOT what you get. You often only see or know what an individual wants you to know. I often refer to this as surface level information. Also, on the surface level are often manifestations of behaviors and speech.
But under the surface, lies so much more. Things under the surface, control surface level behaviors. And these are the things that often go unnoticed and are often suppressed/not discussed. Often the mystery of our iniquity.

Top: Behavior
Middle: Understanding
Bottom: Mindset

Top: In counseling, (Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling) we address the behaviors that manifest but we understand that the behavior is normally something unseen or unspoken that is now acted out.

This is often what most respond to, the behavior.

But what happens when someone is angry because they have been abused...is the anger addressed or the abuse? Both! But address what comes first. Behaviors are easily corrected. But let's not continue to put Band-Aids on wounds that require stitches or even surgery.

Middle: You have to be mindful, that your understanding is not the same as the next person. Concepts and perceptions both have different understandings, which could be cultural, environmental, and nature vs nurture... the sum total of a person, shapes their understanding of something.

Proverbs is a good book to read to learn more about understanding.

Bottom: Mindset, this can change, but it is often our beliefs and our way of thinking. It's the sum total of your knowledge. This stage requires often evaluation, you have to read, research and study, get a role model, a mentor, have friends with similar mindsets, examine your beliefs: study, have vision and goals and lastly, find your voice. Freedom of speech is so important. It allows you to stand and speak on what you believe, regardless of the next person's beliefs. Speak!

This bottom one is tricky, because this is where our mind often operate out of our unconscious.
This is where stuff is rooted. This is where you hold onto that molestation. This is where you hold onto that unforgiveness. This is where things are repressed. This is what needs to be addressed in order to prevent the manifestation of the behaviors.

I.e. Molestation in childhood can carry into adulthood and affect relationships, if the root isn't addressed such as feelings of being unloved,  not trusting others, which can lead to behaviors such as self medicating through drugs or alcohol to remove that memory or even sexual promiscuity.

In my professional experience and my personal experience, I have noticed, that in the African American community, the bottom is often ignored. And that only the behaviors are addressed. We are often told, pray about it. I believe prayer works, but I also believe that there are topics or subjects that Pastors are not equipped in. Refer people out. Don't allow them to continue to sin and have them thinking it's them, when the root haven't been addressed.

Also, Black people, go get help, it's nothing wrong with seeking professional help. You are not "crazy" if you do.

This blog, is to bring awareness to mental health, it's real and it needs to be addressed. It is often ignored. But lets address depression and suicide and maybe by talking about these things, numbers will go down.

I suffered from depression. I self medicated. I did not get out of bed, didn't eat. For a whole semester, But everyone ignored the signs. By God's Grace, I was able to overcome but that's not everyone's story. Thus the reason, I have the semicolon tattooed on me...to be reminded, it could have been a period...but the story continues.

I am entering into counseling within the next month or so for some things in my childhood, that completely affect me today. I do not have a problem sitting on someone's couch.

Sanity and Peace is the goal!

Hope this helps someone!