Morning Routine

By Jayola Reid

Discussed: mental illness stigma

A young girl of color is having a hard time educating her religious mother about the depression she silently struggles with.

Wake up and get ready for school anyway—I’m not working day in and day out to pay your tuition for nothing.

Straighten your hair and look presentable—I don’t care if you cry when your ear is burnt.

If you can lay in bed and watch TV, you can get on the train to school. Failing should give you anxiety, not walking into the packed subway car.

You’re faking it.

What do you have to be sad about? You have everything you need, I don’t know what else you want. Stop crying before I give you something to cry about. Crying because you miss your father is not a valid reason.

Stop victimizing yourself—that’s what our folk’s problem is.

Don’t blame your teachers for dress coding you—blame yourself for believing you could wear that high skirt as if you were skinny enough not to be sexualized.

Why should I pay for a therapist when there is a Bible on your nightstand?

I don’t care if you can’t find friends that look like you. We don’t deal with identity crises. We know who we are. Drugs are the only thing you can use as a coping mechanism?

I’m not paying for a therapist.

Now you depend on boys’ love for your mental health?

I’m not paying for a therapist.

I’m not taking you to get diagnosed. I know what you have and it’s just laziness.

Iron your white collared shirt, put on a longer skirt, make sure no curls are sticking out, and get on the crowded train to school.