Mental Health & Social Activist Leadership As Seen Through MLK
By Hanna Blankenship
Reflecting on Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, it is essential to celebrate his achievements in the civil rights movement and recognize social activism's impact on mental health. As we celebrate his life and legacy, we must remember that even great leaders are human and can struggle with mental health challenges.
As a civil rights movement leader, Martin Luther King Jr. faced immense challenges and stresses in his work to bring about social change. The weight of this responsibility, combined with the constant threat of violence and discrimination, undoubtedly affected his mental health.
According to Tavis Smiley, a political commentator and author of Death of a King: The Real Story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Final Year, King struggled with depression and thoughts of suicide. This was especially true during his later years from '65-'68 when public opinion towards him changed. Martin Luther King Jr. is traditionally recognized as one of the most influential and respected leaders of the Civil Rights Movement. He is known for his powerful speeches, including his famous "I Have a Dream" speech and his advocacy for nonviolence and civil rights for African Americans. However, as his focus broadened to include poverty and opposition to the Vietnam War, King's public image shifted, and his popularity and support began to decline.
After the success of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, King turned his attention to issues of economic inequality and poverty, particularly in the Black community. He led the Poor People's Campaign, which aimed to address the economic disparities facing not only Black Americans but all Americans, regardless of race. The campaign included a march on Washington, D.C., and efforts to provide jobs, housing, and healthcare for the poor.
Soon after, King's opposition to the Vietnam War also began to draw criticism and condemnation from the general public. In 1967, he gave a speech at New York City's Riverside Church, in which he spoke out against the war and its effects on the poor in both the United States and Vietnam. This speech marked a turning point in King's public image, as many Americans, including those who had previously supported him, criticized him for his anti-war stance.
King's popularity with the government, media and many members of the Civil Rights Movement began to decline, and many Americans began to distance themselves from him. In an interview, Tavis Smiley said: "MLK was the most hated man in America before he was killed, more hated than any other person in America." This illustrates how different sectors of society viewed him and his vision differently.
In an interview with NPR, Smiley said that King often talked about his mental health struggles and how they affected his ability to lead the civil rights movement. Despite the immense stress and personal sacrifice he faced during the civil rights movement, King was reportedly hesitant to seek help for his mental health.
To make matters worse, Martin Luther King Jr. faced intense scrutiny and surveillance from government agencies, including the FBI. This surveillance included wiretapping his phone calls and infiltrating his inner circle with an informant. Even spaces now protected under doctor-patient privilege were not safe from the eyes of this agency. Under the leadership of Director J. Edgar Hoover, the FBI was highly critical of King and the Civil Rights Movement and sought not only to discredit and undermine him but even to "blackmail him into taking his own life." Even spaces, like therapy sessions that are now protected by doctor-patient privilege, were not safe from the eyes of the FBI.
King's experience was not unique and is shared by many activists. The constant public scrutiny, harassment, and violence he faced as an activist is a known feeling to many modern social activists and BIPOC citizens alike. The intersection of racism, discrimination, and social activism can create an emotionally taxing and harmful experience.
On this day, let us remember the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and the challenges he faced throughout his career, including the attacks on his safety, security, and mental health. At VHEI, we will continue to honor him by sharing stories like his advocating for systems that support leaders like him in the fight for social justice.
LEARN MORE:
The Nation - Martin Luther King’s Final Year: An Interview With Tavis Smiley
The Washington Post - Economic equality: Martin Luther King Jr.’s other dream
Stanford: The Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute - "Beyond Vietnam"
Columbian College of Arts & Sciences - MLK's Final Year: An Interview with Tavis Smiley
NPR - The Story Of King's 'Beyond Vietnam' Speech
NPR - Documentary Exposes How The FBI Tried To Destroy MLK With Wiretaps, Blackmail
Transforming Center - Transformed Nonconformist: A Sermon by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.