Breaking the Cycle: Mental Health Disparities in the Black Community
Mental health in the Black community has long been shaped by stigma, mistrust, and systemic disparities.
While strides have been made, the data tells a powerful story.
Our overall state of mental well-being is centered around how we think, feel, act and cope with stress. Our ability to manage stressors stems from cultural influence as well as life experiences, environmental determinants, biological factors and overall lifestyle choices.
Culture stands to be a key factor in our perception of mental health as many harsh stigmas continue to thrive.
In the Black community, stigma is rooted in historical trauma, great mistrust in medical institutions and the overarching fear of being deemed weak or vulnerable. Stigma allows mental health to go untreated, remain undervalued and existing in a space of vulnerability and oftentimes weakness. Delayed treatment can intensify symptoms and reinforce the same stigma we are striving to change.
Publicly available health data further reflects these patterns. WebMD as well as many other platforms providing medical news and information highlight how Black Americans are less likely to get mental health treatment or counseling.
As we navigate our day to day, it is important to highlight how far we have come as well as where we still need to go in the realm of treating mental health and meeting the needs of all who are impacted from having access to care. Bringing awareness to disparities in health care, and more specifically mental health, allows us to analyze and implement systems that can better meet the needs of people navigating mental health. Continued awareness must also be paired with intentional action to ensure that every individual, regardless of background or identity, feels safe, seen, and supported in seeking care.
Important Stats
In 2024, Black/African American adults were 11% less likely than U.S. adults overall to report having a mental illness in the past year.
In 2024, Black/African American adults were 36% less likely than U.S. adults overall to have received mental health treatment in the past year.
In 2023, Black/African American high school students were 8% more likely than students nationwide to report attempting suicide in the past year.
In 2022, Black/African Americans were 37% less likely to die by suicide than the U.S. population overall.
How Are We Addressing Mental Health Discrepancies Such as These on a Day-to-Day Basis?
While there is still much work to be done, resources and access to information have increased tremendously. Individuals now have more opportunities to connect with therapists they feel comfortable with and can relate to, as well as access to culturally specific organizations and national support networks.
Seeking support is a super-power and a leap toward well-being. If feelings of sadness, anxiety, isolation, hopelessness, or distress begin to interfere with daily functioning, relationships, or overall quality of life, it may be time to explore available resources. Intervening early saves lives.
Below are several resources that provide information, support, and pathways to care for individuals navigating mental health within the Black community.
Resources
https://www.self.com/story/black-mental-health-resources?utm_visited=WFU
https://www.nami.org/community-and-culture/black-african-american/
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/helplines/national-helpline?utm_visited=WFU
Find additional resources on the Jersey Medical Care Resources Hub page.
