Before the Breaking Point: What Straw Reminds Us About Mental Health, Misfortune & Making Space to Be Heard

Brittney Holmes Jackson
Aug 18
4 min read

Late post. I wrote this months ago, but still applicable...

I finally sat down to watch Straw, Tyler Perry’s latest film. And y’all — I can’t stop thinking about it.

No, this blog isn’t a film critique or a commentary on the production quality. I’m not here to debate if it was “cinematic enough” or if Tyler Perry’s writing “missed the mark” like some reviewers have said. What I am here to say is that the story of Janiyah — a Black woman at the edge of her breaking point — is not fictional to me.

She’s not rare.She’s not exaggerated.She’s not far from the women I see and sit with every day. She’s one of many — women who are jobless, homeless, invisible, unsupported, and exhausted. And her story deserves more curiosity than criticism.

A Systemic Story, Not Just a Script

What hit me most was how real Janiyah’s story is. She represents countless women who navigate systems that fail them, people who ignore them, and circumstances that snowball into something unmanageable.

She loses her job, gets evicted, gets robbed, and still — no one stops to really see her.

The assumption is that she’s unstable.The narrative becomes that she’s dangerous. But the truth? She’s drowning. And too many of us don’t reach for help until we’re sinking fast.

Curiosity Could Change Everything

What Straw shows us — if we’re paying attention — is the cost of a culture that leads with judgment over curiosity. Few, if any, took the time to understand what brought Janiyah to that moment. People made assumptions, labeled her, feared her… until Nicole, the bank manager, and Detective Raymond paused long enough to see her and listen.

The powerful moments between these women reminds us of what can happen when we break down class and situational barriers. Three Black women, from different worlds on paper, realize they are not that different. Because misfortune doesn’t discriminate. And none of us are above reaching our tipping point.

Let’s Talk Accountability, Too

While the world failed Janiyah in many ways, Straw also holds up a mirror to the importance of personal accountability— especially when we’ve been hurt.

Janiyah had friends. She had a school system that might have had supports. But like so many of us, she believed she had to do it all alone. That asking for help was a sign of weakness or a pathway to judgement and punishment. That she couldn’t afford to “look like” she was struggling.

This mindset is rooted in trauma — in being dismissed, in being disappointed, in systems that historically haven’t shown up. But it’s also where healing begins: Recognizing that while support may not always be obvious, it’s out there — and it’s okay to research and receive it.

The Emotional Truth: We’ve All Been Close to the Edge

Let’s be honest. Maybe you’ve never been evicted, fired, and robbed in the same day. But you do know what it feels like when life hits you over and over again. When the phrase “it’s always something” becomes your daily mantra. When you feel like no one sees what you’re carrying.

Straw reminded me a lot of John Q, the 2002 film where Denzel Washington’s character takes a hospital hostage to get his son a heart transplant. The systems failed his family. And only when the crowd heard his story did they rally behind him.

That’s the part people miss. It’s not about the “extremes” in these stories. It’s about the desperation behind them.

How to Care for Yourself Before the Breaking Point

Let’s not wait until we’re unraveling. Let’s build habits of care and community now. Here’s how:

Acknowledge Your Limits
You are not meant to carry everything alone. Exhaustion isn’t weakness — it’s a signal.
Ask for Help (Even If You Don’t Know What to Ask For)
Tell a trusted person: “I’m not okay.” You don’t need all the words. You just need to start.
Check in With a Professional
If you're constantly overwhelmed or numb, consider seeing a therapist or joining a support group. They can help you find clarity and next steps.
Pause Before You Push Through
Burnout doesn’t announce itself — it creeps in. Make rest non-negotiable. Even if it’s just 10 minutes of stillness.
Identify What You Can Control
Start with one thing: a budget, a morning routine, a conversation, a meal. Small wins rebuild emotional capacity.

Resources for When You’re in a Hard Place

If you're like Janiyah or know someone who is — here’s where to start:

Financial & Housing Support

United Way 211: Call or visit 211.org for local resources
Salvation Army or YWCA: Emergency shelter and support programs
Community Action Agencies: Often provide utility, rental, and job assistance

Healthcare & Mental Health

FQHCs (Federally Qualified Health Centers): Sliding-scale or free medical and mental health services
Open Path Collective: Affordable therapy network (openpathcollective.org)
NAMI HelpLine: Mental health support and local services (1-800-950-NAMI)

Support Through Schools

Ask your child’s school for:
- McKinney-Vento support (for homelessness)
- Free/reduced lunch forms
- Parent liaisons or counselors
- Community referrals

Local Nonprofits

Search “[your city] + rent assistance” or “[your county] + mental health services” — every city has hidden gems of support.

Final Thoughts: Listen First, Then Act

Straw is more than a movie. It’s a mirror. A caution. A call to empathy.

It reminds us that people don’t become "problems" overnight — they are often ignored, unheard, and under-resourced for so long that their pain erupts.

Let’s choose curiosity over assumption. Let’s listen without labeling.Let’s offer support before someone reaches their straw.

And if you’re reading this and you are at your breaking point, hear this: You are not invisible. You are not weak. And you do not have to figure this out alone.

Let Me Walk With You

Whether you’re navigating personal hardship, parenting through tough seasons, or simply tired from trying to hold it all together — I offer faith-informed support in several ways: