Seeking Support Does Not Make You Weak

A letter from a single Black mother navigating mental health

Being a single mom has challenged my mental health in ways I never fully understood until I lived it. There is a constant pressure that comes with being the primary parent, provider, comforter, and decision maker all at once. Every day feels like balancing everyone else’s needs while trying not to completely lose yourself in the process. As a mother of two girls, my mind is always running. I think about finances, school, emotional support, schedules, and whether I am doing enough for them. Even during moments of rest, it can feel difficult to truly relax because the responsibility never fully turns off.

As a Black woman, I also think there is a stigma surrounding postpartum depression and anxiety that keeps a lot of us suffering in silence. We are often expected to be strong no matter what. To push through. To pray it away. To keep showing up for everyone else while ignoring ourselves. For a long time, seeking help or taking medication felt taboo to me. It almost felt like admitting failure instead of recognizing that I needed support.

What people do not talk about enough is how heavy postpartum mental health struggles can feel, especially while trying to raise children, maintain responsibilities, and survive emotionally at the same time. There were moments where I felt overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, anxious, and disconnected from myself. I struggled with guilt because I felt like I should be able to handle everything on my own.

One of the best decisions I made was reaching out to a mental health professional and allowing myself to accept help. Being medicated has helped me tremendously. It gave me the ability to breathe again, think clearly, and feel more emotionally stable. For me, medication is not about changing who I am. It is simply a tool helping me get through a difficult season in my life. It does not have to be forever, but right now it is helping, and there is no shame in that.

I think more Black women need to hear that it is okay to ask for help. It is okay to not feel okay after having a baby. It is okay to go to therapy. It is okay to take medicine if you need it. Seeking support does not make you weak. Sometimes strength looks like finally choosing yourself too.

-Cierra

Need Support? You Don’t Have to Navigate This Alone.

Seeking help is a sign of strength — not weakness. If you or someone you love is struggling with mental health challenges, support is available.

Families Forward Resource Center partners with Therapists of Color Collaborative to help connect individuals and families with culturally responsive mental health care. Learn more here.

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or need immediate emotional support in Colorado, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Colorado Mental Health Line. Support is free, confidential, and available 24/7.

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.