Standing In the Shadows: Understanding and Overcoming Depression in Black Men [Hardcover]

John Head (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 10, 2004

A first-of-its-kind exploration of black men and depression from an award-winning journalist

The first book to reveal the depths of black men’s buried mental and emotional pain, Standing in the Shadows weaves the author’s story of his twenty-five-year struggle with depression with a cultural analysis of how the illness is perceived in the black community—and why nobody wants to talk about it.In mainstream society depression and mental illness are still somewhat taboo subjects; in the black community they are topics that are almost completely shrouded in secrecy. As a result, millions of black men are suffering in silence or getting treatment only in the most extreme circumstances—in emergency rooms, homeless shelters, and prisons. The neglect of emotional disorders among men in the black community is nothing less than racial suicide. John Head’s explosive work, Standing in the Shadows, addresses what can be done to help those who need it most.In this groundbreaking book, veteran journalist and award-winning author John Head argues that the problem can be traced back to slavery, when it was believed that blacks were unable to feel inner pain because they had no psyche. This myth has damaged generations of African American men and their families and has created a society that blames black men for being violent and aggressive without considering that depression might be a root cause. The author also explores the roles of the black church, the black family, and the changing nature of black women in American culture as a way to understand how the black community may have unwittingly helped push the emotional disorders of African American men further underground. As daring and powerful as Nathan McCall’s Makes Me Wanna Holler, Standing in the Shadows challenges both the African American community and the psychiatric community to end the silent suffering of black men by taking responsibility for a problem that’s been ignored for far too long. Additionally, Standing in the Shadows gives women an understanding of depression that enables them to help black men mend their relationships, their families, and themselves.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this brief but powerful book, award-winning reporter Head draws a clear picture of several complex social, racial and psychological problems and raises important questions about mental health care in general and for black men specifically. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, the American Medical Association and the World Health Organization, depression’s impact on society is enormous. Yet, for many members of the African-American community the subject remains taboo¾especially for black men, who may suffer silently and die tragically because of it. Their despair has deep roots in our history, Head argues: "Racism not only brings on depression in black men, it exacerbates the effects of the illness." A journalist for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and USA Today and a fellow at the Carter Center Mental Health Program, Head explains that "racism is psychological warfare in the most literal sense of the term" and that, when racism’s humiliation and hopelessness is combined with a loss, depression often results. Woven throughout the book is an eloquent memoir of Head’s own chronic depression which provides insight into the illness for readers who may not be familiar with its effects. Head’s struggle has taught him that there are no easy answers to depression. But he maintains that progress can be made if African Americans acknowledge the problem, talk about it and remember that depression is a medical illness, just like diabetes and heart disease. And, says Head, it is time for the mental health care system to do the research and outreach that the black community needs to confront this problem. Not exactly a self-help book, Head’s volume is a wake-up call to African Americans, health care professionals and anyone concerned about the far-reaching consequences of depression.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Head, a veteran journalist and a success by any objective standard, shares his 25-year struggle with depression within the context of the kinds of social and cultural forces that can cause depression in black men and, at the same time, discourage acknowledgement or treatment of that depression. The broader social stigma of depression, combined with the culture among black men to view depression as weakness, has compelled many to suffer in silence. Head traces back to slavery the pressures faced by black men, their responses to those pressures, and the lack of interest or concern the psychiatric profession has until recently shown regarding race and depression. Head intersperses his harrowing personal struggle with analysis of the impact of racism on black men and compels them to ignore their depression until they are driven to the extremes and receive treatment in psychiatric wards, homeless shelters, or prison. Head challenges the black church, black families, and the broader society to recognize the particular pressures faced by black men and to lift the antihelp social stigma. Vernon Ford
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Crown Archetype (August 10, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0767913531
• ISBN-13: 978-0767913539
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #791,336 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Private Battles, October 8, 2004

By 

The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com and BlackBookReviews.net) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Standing In the Shadows: Understanding and Overcoming Depression in Black Men (Hardcover)

John Head lived the "American Dream": supportive wife, 2.5 children, fantastic job, great home, tennis buddies, family, friends... his list of blessings was long enough to make most envious; yet fulfillment and contentment were just beyond his grasp, sitting on the other side of depression.

He was trapped in the cell of depression, and no matter how hard his family and friends tried to break him free of his imprisonment, they failed. This was a battle John's loved ones could not fight for him. This was John's war; all others had to take a supporting role.

John Head's life is literally an open book in STANDING IN THE SHADOWS. In order to help African-American men-and those who love them-win the fight against depression, John Head reveals his revelations, struggles, failures, successes, and strategies for dealing with depression.

As I read STANDING IN THE SHADOWS, I could see how men suffering from depression could identify with John's struggles and hopefully seek help. As the wife of a diagnosed manic-depressive Black man, I could identify with the stories of John's family struggles. At times, Mr. Head became preachy on issues such as the role that racism plays in depression in African-American men and the stigma many Blacks have against admitting and treating mental illnesses, but otherwise this is an excellent book that is very informative and personable.

Reviewed by Deatri King-Bey
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

2 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars u become aware of the great black syndrome..., September 14, 2006

By 

steVando (Atlanta) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Standing In the Shadows: Understanding and Overcoming Depression in Black Men (Hardcover)

First you gotto get over the Black Power talk and the fact that all of the author's heroes are black. Then he tells you how white society was bad to him, but then the good part comes in. He introduces you to a world were irrational behaviour and poor social skills are to be blamed on mental health. How the racial stigma has contributed in the form of stress to have the black male become emotionally unstable. Wow. that's good. The reading was all worth it after the first two chapters.
The authors eloquence and style are impressive. This is no mediocre man writing on one more reason blacks haven't made it. He has some very powerful personal experinences and you will relate to him in many ways. I rated it a 3 but I DO INDEED RECOMMEND YOU READ IT. For those of yo interested in social issues, black empowerment issues, and mental health issues this book IS A MUST!