(Not a racist poll) but this is question is predominantly for my sisters. African American women, do you feel mental illness is not recognized and treated properly amongst our community ?

This post wasn’t meant to exclude anyone... but I need honest opinions. And if you can relate by any means, comment. But I’m currently battling depression and my damn family and boyfriend tend to take it as a joke. The elders say pray, my cousins say go have drink, and my boyfriend tells me there’s nothing wrong with me ! Although I do believe in the power of prayer and speaking things into existence, I can’t help how I feel until i overcome it. I’m going to seek counseling, but i need support. And it doesn’t help that my dumbass boyfriend keeps making jokes like “why haven’t you folded your laundry, get up you’re lazy or trying to drag me out the house to sit over his family’s house with a group of people and talk/drink/ and smoke until midnight. I feel alone and I cry a lot. I’m so frustrated, I just want to get better.

the root cause to my depression is I feel stuck. I’m 27 and I feel I’m at a stand still in my life. I’m trying to discover my passion/calling/purpose, all the while repeating a repetitive routine (Work, eat, sleep, repeat) I have no children (thank god) im in a committed relationship, and I’m an accounting assistant. That’s it ! I feel like I have no real purpose right now... I’m grateful for all that I have, but I can’t help but to wonder what’s next for me. I feel lost.