Changing the Narrative Around Mental Health in the Black Community

In the discussion of how systemic racism affects the Black community, the topic of mental health is often left out altogether. In a Healthline article, experts are seeking to “change the narrative around Black mental health,” addressing the importance of mental health in communities of color, barriers to access, and the need for cultural competency among therapists. The article also highlights the work of Black churches in shifting attitudes toward mental health care.

The importance of mental health care in the Black community

Just as our bodies and minds are linked, physical and mental health are each a part of wellness. We need both in order to be whole.

“Mental health is an incredibly important factor for a fulfilling life. And having good mental health means having a better quality of life and satisfaction with your overall being,” says Dr. Francesca K. Owoo, LCPC, LMHC.

While mental health should be a priority for everyone, the added stressors of racism, oppression, and trauma take an added toll on people in BIPOC communities.

“When considering the impact of mental illness on African Americans, you cannot overlook how centuries of systemic racism and oppression have exacerbated the effects of mental illness in the population,” explains Owoo.

Barriers to mental health treatment for the Black community

While Black people experience mental health conditions at similar rates to other groups, racial disparities exist in seeking out and accessing care. Why are African Americans less likely to get help for mental health struggles? Owoo cites various factors (excerpted directly here):

distrust of the medical system
institutionalized racism and oppression
trauma caused by racism and violence
healthcare inequities
lack of access to quality mental health care
cultural competency gaps among providers
the lack of diverse mental health professionals
the common stigma of seeking help within the Black community

Her summary overlaps with the findings of a 2019 study, which identified four factors that play a significant role in keeping Black Americans from accessing the mental health care they need.

Interconnected oppression – For some people, oppression experienced outside of healthcare settings affects the way they expect to be treated while receiving care.
Double discrimination – Sometimes people experience more than one form of discrimination, such as being Black and having a mental health condition, resulting in barriers to care.
Institutional mistrust – Both personal and historical experiences play into mistrust of the medical system.
Microaggressions – Subtle, often unconscious bias toward people in marginalized communities contributes toward stigma, keeping people from getting the care they need.

The pandemic widened the disparity gap

The COVID-19 pandemic was a case in point. “COVID-19 has further increased rates of anxiety and depression amongst African Americans, while racial trauma is leading to an alarming increase in cases of PTSD,” says Owoo.

A study from 2022 found that not only did fatigue, stress, anxiety, and depression rise in Black communities during COVID-19, but so did barriers to receiving care.

“This intersection between race and mental health is having a further social, economic, and psychological impact on Black communities as well, with higher rates of suicide, particularly among African American youth,” Owoo says.

The lack of Black therapists

According to 2021 data from the American Psychological Association (APA), the vast majority (80.85%) of psychologists are white, while only 5.08% of the psychology workforce was Black,

Owoo chalks up the disparity to the same factors that prevent Black Americans from seeking and accessing care. More Black therapists are needed, she says.

“With mental illness having a profound impact on the Black community, yet lacking access to therapists that understand their culture, history, and experiences, it’s important to break down the stigma surrounding mental health and increase the visibility of Black professionals in the field,” says Owoo.

“By having more Black therapists available, clients are empowered to open up about their concerns in an environment that feels safe and familiar,” she adds.

Barriers to pursuing a career in therapy

“In order to provide culturally competent care, measures must be taken to address racism and discrimination within academia, as well as increased outreach to the field so that more African Americans are exposed and able to choose a career in therapy,” she continues.

It’s also important to acknowledge the educational and economic realities that prevent many students from choosing a career in psychology. Obtaining a graduate degree is costly, and the process of becoming a licensed therapist often requires many unpaid internship hours. These realities are squarely at odds with paying off student loans, a burden faced by countless young people, including young people of color.

The need for culturally competent care

Cultural competency, being able to provide effective care within cross-cultural situations, is vital for clinicians. Therapists need to be able to connect with clients across differences in race, language, communication style, beliefs, and values.

For members of the BIPOC community, it’s especially important to find a therapist who not only knows how to treat your condition and also but recognizes the impact of social and historical factors on your mental health.

If you are searching for a Black therapist, Heatlhline offers a list of resources that may help you in your search:

Cultural and faith institutions helping bridge the gap in care

To bridge the gap in care, some Black churches are playing a critical role in improving mental health in Black communities.

Soul Shop for Black Churches is a new effort by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention that’s working to destigmatize mental health challenges and encourage professional mental health services in communities of color. It equips faith and lay leaders “on the front lines of the mental health crisis to minister to those impacted by all the faces of trauma and struggle,” coming alongside families who have lost loved ones to suicide.

“The church has always had such a huge footprint in the Black community and it’s really been that gateway to the community,” said Victor Armstrong, MSW, national director of Soul Shop for Black Churches. Because the Black church is “the place that the community looks to for guidance,” he says, it “makes sense that the Black church could have a role to play in raising the awareness about suicide.”

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is another organization partnering with local leaders to shift the narrative around mental wellness in communities of color. In an inspiring post on X (formerly Twitter), NAMI’s Monique Owens shares how she’s working to break down stigma and harness the power of the Black church in changing attitudes toward mental health – and the concrete difference that work has made in families’ lives.

Listen as Monique Owens shares the story of her journey towards breaking mental health stigmas amongst members of her congregational community, and how working with NAMI supported her efforts. pic.twitter.com/pvKmNr0WlO

— NAMI (@NAMICommunicate) February 28, 2024