We know that people of all ethnicities and cultures experience mental health conditions, and that Black individuals experiences mental health challenges at rates similar to other groups. However, when considering the mental health of Black Americans, it’s important to look at historical and cultural factors, some of which have led to significant disparities. For example, 25% of Black people seek mental health treatment when needed, compared to 40% of white people.
The stigma of mental health isn’t new to the Black community. Martin Luther King Jr. reportedly had severe depression during periods of his life and refused psychiatric treatment, even when urged to seek care by his staff. Unfortunately, that scenario continues to be common today, with African Americans not seeking mental health care because of stigma.
Black Americans develop mental health conditions at a rate equal to anyone else. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has declared racism a serious threat to public health that has placed communities of color at greater risk for poor health outcomes. When considering the mental health of Black Americans, it is important to view their experience through a historical and cultural lens. The Black community has shown resilience in the face of adversity for centuries.
According to the American Psychological Association, racial trauma can result from direct experiences of racism, as well as insidious occurrences that add up over time. Major experiences of racism include physical and verbal attacks, while indirect stressors include seeing videos of police brutality on social media or being the target of subtle putdowns. Racial trauma can also result from intergenerational trauma: traumatic stress passed from one generation to the next. Stress reactions to trauma are normal responses to abnormal situations. A person’s response to a trauma depends on the individual, the type of trauma, the meaning of the trauma, as well as cultural factors.
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