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A SUCCESS PRIMER FOR YOUNG BLACK MEN, PART 8

      In putting this section of the primer together about Mental Health, I’d like to say that it is a subject worth discussing—but the spiritual side of the equation MUST be addressed rather than ‘just’ the medication and clinical side.  I’ll put it simply: guard carefully the loins of your mind; watch carefully what passes your senses—especially your ears and your eyes—for what enters the mind and settles in the heart WILL impact you, for good or for evil.  One can never feed their mind too much good, but they can feed their mind too much evil.  And to be blunt, what goes into your mind will eventually go into your heart and will manifest itself in your body and actions.

      This is why meddling in those things associated with Modern Street Gangs is hazardous to one’s mental health.  I developed this brief run down on afflictions associated with those who are involved in gang activity.  Most of these afflictions ARE associated with or are outgrowths of certain mental health concerns.  This is just a quick scan of mental health issues associated with our youth today:

 ISOLATION (In addition, check Social Media Choices & IPhones)

     *Because Modern Street Gang (MSG) members must keep their activities secret and away from friends, family and much of the outside world (including law enforcement, probation, parole, etc.) such actions will leave gang members (male or female) feeling bouts of isolation and loneliness.  Only has ‘gang’ associates, and ‘gang’ friends.

 DEPRESSION (In addition, check Social Media Choices & IPhones)

     *Also known as ‘the blues’ ‘down in the dumps’ ‘feelings of hopelessness’.  Gang members often wrestle with depression, ranging from occasional to deep and severe.  Depression often handled with drugs, sex, alcohol, or excessive time invested in things like violent video games, cutting, showing off, hot tempered. One must handle depression by dealing with its roots and not mask it.

 SLEEP DEPRIVATION (In addition, check Social Media Choices & IPhones)

     *Because most criminal activity is done at night (gang initiations, crime, etc.) the gang member is usually a night owl and must sleep during the day or is kept awake by other means.  IF the gang member/initiate/foot soldier is school aged, this often means that they may be frequently truant from school or cannot stay awake in classes.  This also can be ‘tagged’ to those who worship their involvement with video games.

 OCCULT (In addition, check Social Media Choices & IPhones)

     *Because of the signs, symbols, rituals, etc., often involved in gang life (depending upon the type or level of gang the male/female is a part of) there are often items attached or a part of teen (and some adult) members.  Items range from tattoos, occult jewelry, talismans, witchcraft, ritual sacrificial items from pagan religious groups (including false religions or those religions that mock Christianity), vampirism, color fetishes, burn books, Books of the Dead, plus a fatalistic view of life.  Be warned.  Those involved in the occult will have a host of mental health issues.

EMOTIONAL TRAUMA (In addition, check Social Media Choices & IPhones)

     *Because of the stress of gang life, a young person may hear voices, refer to themselves ONLY by their gang ‘tag’, or have issues created by what they have seen or done.

 SUICIDE/MURDER/MAYHEM (In addition, check Social Media Choices & IPhones)

     *Add these all together and a person—depending upon how deep they are in MSG activity may feel like there is no way out and may seek their own harm OR may attempt to talk someone else into killing themselves. Fixation on weapons of death. Excessive or deep depression may lead in this direction.

      Over the years, I have liked to collect statistics on various social phenomena.  One of the more sobering stats in my arsenal; the average teen listens to music an average of four hours per day and has about four to six hours of screen time on electronic devices per day.  With just these two items, a mental ‘stamp’ of current culture is being made on the hearts and minds of many of our young people.  Further, while technology is not good nor bad within itself, what those in charge of these platforms decide to ‘load’ into their product to get young people—especially young Black men—hooked in viewing their wares is more than a cause for concern.

      How does a young Black man ‘gird up the loins of his mind’?  The BEST way is to get into a KJV Bible daily and—with the inspiration of Jesus Christ and the leading of the Holy Spirit—God can speak into you those items that will ‘flush’ the junk (including stinkin’ thinkin’) out of your spirit and mind.  IF you are spending much of your time cramming garbage into your mind, what will be produced WILL be garbage.  Remember: you have only one mind.  Ninety percent of satanic attack is against your mind.  IF you are a Christian, you have the Word of God as your resource to protect your mental health (Ephesians 6:10-20; John, Chapter 14-17 KJV).  IF you are NOT a Christian, my suggestion would BE to become one, and spend time in the Word of God.  Otherwise, the Devil will sift you as wheat, and your mental health will not grow better—it will grow worse.

      Recommended reading for the month: “Debt Free Degree” by Anthony O’Neal

      Saying worth remembering about Prayer:  A phone company commercial once said: “Take 5 minutes to stay in touch.”  With Iphones, PC and Laptop computers, the Internet, various forms of social media, some people have forgotten the need for keeping in touch with loved ones, often to the point of neglect.  PRAY for your parents, family, school, Pastor and church as well as your OWN protection!

      Mike Ramey is a Retired Minister, KJV Bible Teacher, syndicated columnist and Bible Prophecy Specialist who lives in Indianapolis, Indiana.  “The Quick Scan: A Success Primer For Young Black Men” is one of a variety of his columns appearing and abounding in print and cyberspace, written from a biblical, business, and common-sense perspective since 1996.  To drop him a line—or a whine—the address is still the same: mgmikeramey@yahoo.com.  ©2024 Barnstorm Communications International. With this 12-part series on the major issues of manhood, we are celebrating 2024 as “The Year of the Young Black Man.”