Today, an estimated 20.6% of the U.S. population, or 1 in 5 adults, suffers from a mental illness or disorder. That rate is also about the same in black and white individuals. However, mental health intersects with Black experiences to create significant differences in how mental health problems are experienced, treated, and escalated. Cultural and societal factors, such as stereotypes, experiencing racism and prejudice, and experiencing stigma and exclusion are traumatic. They also pose as barriers to mental health treatment and to regaining your mental health.
As a result, Black adults in the U.S. are significantly more likely to experience severe psychological distress without treatment. That’s even more true for those under the poverty line. While 1 in 5 Black Americans lives under the poverty line (compared to 1 in 7 non-Hispanic white Americans). And, Black Americans living under the poverty line are more than twice as likely to suffer severe mental illness and psychological distress.
Understanding how culture, society, and racism come together to influence mental health in the Black community is crucial to getting help, to finding treatment, and to repairing as much damage as possible – so you can build a better life for yourself and your family.
Higher Rates of Stress and Trauma in Black Communities
The United States is still subject to high rates of racist, prejudiced, and problematic beliefs, especially surrounding those with darker skin. Black Americans face especially high rates of stigma and racism, with most adults having actively experienced racism, including violence, aggressions, and microaggressions, for their entire life. Any act of racism is traumatic and stressful. Even if you’re “used to it”. Having to deal with high rates of racism and stress are also actively damaging to your mental health. Not only is increased stress one of the highest indicators of vulnerability to a mental health disorder, but traumatic experiences also directly cause problems like PTSD.
In one study, a single act of direct racial discrimination created measurable changes to confidence, self-esteem, and self-assurance. In neighborhoods where even light microaggressions were common, individuals in the study experienced reduced sleep, increased stress, and coronary artery problems – all of which contribute to reduced health, reduced mental health, and the risk of an earlier death. And, individuals experiencing violent racists acts were 23.95% more likely to be diagnosed with a mental or physical health problem than a peer who had not experienced a violent racist act.
At the same time, negative mental impacts from racism aren’t just about racist acts. Someone treating you as being worth less because of the color of your skin, following you in a store because you are black, or using expletives and violence is traumatic. But, so are the societal ideals and culture we absorb, especially as children.
Racism affects:
- Self-esteem and how you think about yourself
- Expectations for yourself or for your children
- Your standards of education, achievement, and living
- Your ability to let yourself relax or to be less than “perfect” about everything
- Your ability to relax in social environments
- Your confidence in social situations
For example, many Black Americans internalize ideas pushed by their schools, teachers, and mentors. It’s not uncommon to find Black people who think that Blacks are lazy, that economic disadvantages stem from laziness (they don’t), and that violence stems from clothing choices (hoodies), crime, or attitude (it doesn’t). This internalized racism is every bit as harmful as racism directed at you by others – but it can be nearly impossible to escape depending on your upbringing.
The result is that while Black Americans suffer from mental illnesses at about the same rate as non-Hispanic whites, they’re also more likely to face severe mental health problems. You’re also more than twice as likely to be denied a medical diagnosis – even in the face of severe depression and distress.
