When assessing Black mental health, it is essential to recognize the impact of deep-rooted historical and systemic factors, including racism. The history of Black people in America began with being stripped from everything familiar to them, including family, land, weather, quality of life, language, ceremonies, food, and freedom. Ironically, these are also some of the key components to healing that providers may assess and collaborate with clients to incorporate, when treating mental health through a cultural lens.
Black Americans are more likely to experience a mental health concern, and less likely to receive treatment, according to federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration data. This is concerning as rates of suicide in the Black community continue to increase. Additionally, research suggests that chronic experiences of racial stress and trauma such as microaggressions, viral videos of Black death, or systemic racism, are connected to higher rates of anxiety, depression, and trauma.
Lastly, Black Americans encounter barriers to mental health treatment including limited access to quality services and they are more likely to be misdiagnosed, leading to ineffective treatment. There is also a lack of diversity among providers as only 5% of therapists are Black. Collectively, these factors may alienate Black people from feeling safe and affirmed in the therapeutic environment.
Despite these gaps, Black mental health cannot be put on hold as the field works to improve its shortcomings. The healing work must continue, on our terms and within our communities, tapping into the strengths that have always sustained us.
Cultivating Black mental wellness
“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.”
—Audre Lorde
Here are some ways to practice mental wellness:
Mental health treatment
- Therapy for Black Girls
- Therapy for Black Men
- Psychology Today (search for Black or African American providers)
- American Psychiatric Association
Books
- "Healing Racial Stress Workbook for Black Teens"
- "Decolonizing Therapy"
- "Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome"
Websites
Community events
- Black Mental Wellness Day
Focuses on radically dreaming a culture of care, healing racial trauma, empowering Black men, and cultivating resilience. - Black Mental Wellness Conference
Emphasizes the importance of remaining empowered to heal during these emotionally challenging times.
Traditional healing practices
- Cleansing ceremonies
- Spiritual baths
- Aromatherapy
Movement
- Dance
- Exercise
- Sports
Mind-body connection
- Yoga
- Pilates
- Drumming
- Meditation
- Prayer
Creativity
- Art
- Fashion
- Music
- Writing
- Cooking/Baking
- Spoken word
Joy
- Reflect on what brings you joy and do it
Restorative practices
- Take breaks, a nap, or unscheduled time to decompress and reset (check out The Nap Ministry)
Nature
- Hiking
- Gardening
- Sitting outside
- Grounding exercises such as standing with your feet in the grass
Community wellness
- Healing circles
- Group therapy
- Barbershops/Beauty salons
- Spiritual communities
"We are injured individually but heal in community."
—Dr. Frances Adomako
Activism as self-preservation
- Organizing
- Donating
- Getting on the front lines of a demonstration
During a time where others are seeking to try and redefine our history, our identity, and what we mean to this world, protecting your mental health is self-preservation. Reclaiming our narrative and reconnecting with our sources of strength is a testament to resilience, self-love and critical to Black mental health in America.
