One Man’s Journey With Mental Illness (Stunning Images)

 

Maela felt unable to open up to his family about his manic feelings, due to the stigma attached to mental illness in black communities.

Growing up in a black community you quickly learn that there is a list of problems that do not ‘affect’ black people:

Mentally ill? Bewitched, or you simply study too hard.

Depressed? Lighten up, you’ve been watching way too many of those white teen movies.

Seeing a psychologist? You’re weak and should probably stop that before the neighbours find out.