Why is Black Mental Health often overlooked and how can we address this issue?

Advocacy is vital for everyone and all families. Today, we are highlighting the significance of advocacy within the Black community, particularly regarding mental health. For Black children, it is crucial to support parents in preparing their kids to advocate for themselves and to better understand their own mental health. For adults, it is vital to advocate for growth in to break generational trauma and fight for the right be healthy.

Why is Black mental health an important topic?

The Black community often faces structural challenges in accessing the care and treatment they need. Often, due to these structural barriers, Black individuals are less likely to seek necessary care or even report their symptoms. It's common to dismiss the symptoms experienced. Numerous research articles indicate that Black Americans are more likely to report psychological distress but less likely to pursue services. For older generations, such as baby boomers, seeking even general care was considered taboo unless a medical concern was visibly apparent (like a broken arm or vomiting). Complaints like chronic stomachaches or chronic headaches were often viewed as minor and easily disregarded. However, these symptoms can signal serious or preventable medical conditions. This concept similarly applies to mental health issues within the Black community.

While it may be more common to seek general care rather than specialized care such as a mental health professional. There are negative views of mental health that currently present themselves in the United States and have for many years. In the Black community, the views are even more negatively viewed.

Often Black people are more likely to believe that a mental health condition is a sign of weakness.

The feeling of weakness can correlate to the feeling of shame and anxiety related to how their peers or even family members will view them. These cultural views are valued across economic statuses. This is especially true for Black parents who may resist seeking help for their children.

For Parents

It is essential to check your own bias and how you feel about mental health, and why you have this view. Your view about overall mental health will ultimately impact your child. Why is this important for advocacy? Let’s think for a second, if you view mental health negatively, it is more likely that you will struggle to find value in discussing the topic with your child and teaching them the importance in advocating for themselves, especially given the racial bias that they will experience. If your child has experienced symptoms of a mental health concern, they will have difficulty communicating their experience to their parents or may even minimize their symptoms. Opening the lines of communication with your child will reduce the bias around mental health and allows children to feel accepted for their challenges.

How do we do it?

Key concepts when discussing Black Mental Health:

1. Breaking the stigma by normalizing and creating healthy environments and resilience. In the Black community, mental health difficulties can be seen as a weakness and many suffer in silence, continuing generational patterns.

2. Addressing racial trauma and stress by recognizing racial trauma is essential for healing. Understanding that racial discrimination, systemic oppression, and microaggression contribute to chronic stress, anxiety, and depression.

3. Improving access to culturally competent providers by having access to black providers who may be more culturally sensitive. Increasing representation in the mental health field is imperative.

4. Combating generational trauma by receiving therapy, engaging in community support, and recognizing patterns of trauma to break cycles and promote healing.

5. Strengthen families and communities by prioritizing mental wellness as a strength and value, and understand the consequences associated with untreated mental illness that continue the cycle of mental illness in the Black community.

6. Encourage and Prioritize self-care by educating on the impact that self-care has on the individual, family, and community outcomes over time.

Mental health is integral to the overall health of the Black community. Let’s take time to acknowledge that WE matter and so does our community.

*If you have concerns or questions about better understanding your or your child’s mental health, seek a mental health professional for support.

Psychologytoday.com is a great resource to find providers.