A Filmmaker Discusses Her Documentary on Black Women and Depression

Many Black women find themselves caught between the image of the strong Black woman and the reality of dealing with the mental health challenges of living as a Black woman in spaces that aren't always welcoming. Leaning on that strong image can help Black women tap into their resilience. But it can also limit their ability to seek support—or even admit that they need it.

While studies have shown that the Black and white communities experience serious psychological distress at nearly the same rate, Black Americans were more likely to report feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and worthlessness than whites. And Black Americans are far less likely to receive treatment for depression.

This knowledge and her experiences have prompted writer, director, and producer Sharee Silerio to create Black Girl, Bleu, a documentary aimed at shedding light on Black women's experiences with depression and anxiety as well as on the myths surrounding mental health in the Black community.

Why did you feel you needed to create this documentary?

My uncle lived with schizoaffective disorder until he passed away in 2016. He was my favorite person. I could talk to him about anything and be myself. He was such a source of encouragement and love, and it was really difficult for me when he passed away.

I didn't acknowledge or embrace those feelings; instead, I just went to work. I was in a filmmaking program, producing a web series, and I had a part-time job and doing two or three other things. That was me putting on a strong Black woman cape and mask and saying I'm okay.

But a year later, I felt depressed. I wasn't able to experience the joy of the things that were happening in my career.

So, I had a conversation with a woman who was, at the time, my best friend of almost 10 years. I told her what I was going through. She told me that I had no reason to be depressed. This was someone I looked to for support. I'm sure she wasn't the only one who had these thoughts. Black women who struggle with mental illness are expected to suck it up and push through, no matter what.

I created this documentary to remove the veil and give Black women an opportunity to talk about when they don't feel strong and when they need help. We shot the film two years ago, and it's been a humbling and enlightening journey ever since.

Where do you believe this idea that Black women need to be strong and push through comes from?

I think part of it is the reality of enslavement in America. Black women had to deal with unconscionable things but still had to get up and go. They've had to care for their family and care for other people's families—they didn't have a choice.

I feel like that mode of operating has stuck with us. It's in the DNA. [For instance] my mom always did the most. She was a wife, raised kids, had two to three and sometimes four jobs, all while also trying to pursue her dreams. It's just something that we take on.

Plus, there are these stereotypes about Black women in society: that we're freeloading off the system and don't want to work. We feel like we have to make sure we don't prove or provide evidence of that.

How can we dispel this myth and break the cycle?

I think part of it is acknowledging that we're human, and that there are times that we need to rest. And like the women in the film, [we need to] be open and honest about what we experience and how that impacts who we are, our mental wellness.

We can also start to normalize the concept of rest. I'm doing that by practicing and learning that it's okay to take care of myself first. I don't have to be at the bottom of the need-to-do list.

What kind of reaction have you gotten to the documentary so far?

I've had a lot of positive reactions to it. One woman said that she felt free after watching it. A lot of women have told me that, after watching it, they felt less alone. It's been described as powerful, heartwarming, or touching, and it's won three awards from festivals.

What's next for you?

I have a virtual community associated with the film, which I'm revamping. We have a support group that meets once a week, we're starting a grief support group, and we do virtual meditation or breathwork sessions together twice a month.

I also want to write two narrative shorts. One will be fictional but loosely based on things I experienced as I was growing up, and the other will let people into the mind and body of someone living with anxiety and depression.

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