Featured Partners

Cox Communications on Why Mental Health Matters to Black Women

February 15, 2022
Written by Featured Partner

Originally published at cox.com. Cox Communications ranked No. 32 on The Fair360, formerly DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity list in 2021.

For many Black women such as myself, our story is one of tenacity, perseverance and determination. While the long-standing stereotype of being a “strong, Black woman” can often help us cope with the hardships of being Black in America, it’s not without its disadvantages. Given that the experiences of Black women cross the intersections of racism, sexism, classism and health inequities, our mental health needs often go overlooked and unfulfilled.

Black American adults are 20 percent more likely to experience serious mental health problems than the general population, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health.

“Whether diagnosed or undiagnosed, Black women are experiencing higher rates of mental health issues because these issues are all exacerbated by racism-based trauma and stress,” says Ayanna Abrams, Psy.D., a licensed clinical psychologist.

How Past and Current Trauma Affects Mental Health

According to the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health, race-based exclusion from health, educational and social resources directly translates into the socioeconomic disparities experienced by African Americans. These disparities have cultivated an atmosphere of mistrust between Black people and the medical field. This form of medical racism often results in patients feeling unseen, ignored and underserved.

“Research has shown that healthcare workers can hold implicit racial, cultural and/or gender biases that affect how they offer care and education to patients,” Dr. Abrams explains.

From experiencing micro-aggressions to being racially profiled to witnessing racial violence, exposure to racial trauma can greatly impact psychological health and wellbeing.

“Viewing and witnessing the violence of others can also contribute to your own trauma experiences,” explains Nicole Cammack, Ph.D., licensed clinical psychologist. “During times of increased videos and replays of police brutality and injustices based on race, I often advise people to disconnect from social media and news outlets to decrease your exposure, and related stress and anxiety.”

Understanding Social Stigma

Many in the African American community associate mental illness with shame and embarrassment — and both the affected individual and the family often hide the diagnosis, according to a National Institutes of Health study. The research also showed 63% of Black people believed that a mental health condition was a personal sign of weakness and only 31% believed depression was a health problem.

“The ‘strong Black woman’ narrative also contributes to mental health being taboo. For many, being a strong Black woman is a badge of honor, and unfortunately, the definition is limited in many ways — meaning the more you can endure, the stronger you are”, Dr. Cammack says. “Asking for help is seen as a weakness and is negative. We all must stop this narrative and acknowledge the true strength it takes to face your vulnerabilities through therapy.”

Improving Mental Health

When on the road to mental wellness, Dr. Abrams advises Black women to seek safe, healing spaces and select a culturally competent mental health professional, if possible.

“In general, Black people can take better care of our mental health by acknowledging that it’s OK to seek and receive treatment and support those who do seek therapy,” Dr. Abrams says.

Counseling centers, university clinics and even some private practices may also offer services at a lower cost or on a sliding scale, or an employee assistance program may be able to connect you to the resources you need.

Along with seeking professional help if needed, Dr. Abrams recommends these coping mechanisms: