When it comes to race, color, or gender, mental health conditions do NOT discriminate. Any individual can face challenges regarding their mental health. However, not everyone has access to the same quality care as others. African Americans, for instance, are less likely to receive treatment due to distrust in the health care system. Such distrust has been caused by years of prejudice, discrimination, and inadequate treatment in health care. Socioeconomic disparities and unmet needs have also led African Americans to experience more severe mental health conditions. For example, the community is 10% more likely to experience severe physiological distress.
When it comes to African American students specifically, they are more likely to experience “minority status stress” compared to other racial groups. Minority status stress is a stressor in minority students which is caused by experiences with discrimination, racism, and questioning one's belonging. Such race-related stress has been linked to anxiety disorders, psychological distress, depression, fatigue, anger, and etc. This can negatively impact one’s personal and academic life.
Did you know?
Over 7 million Blacks or African Americans have reported having a mental illness in the past year.
Suicide was the second leading cause of death in African-Americans ages 15-24 in 2017
Black youth that have been exposed to violence are at a 25% higher risk for PTSD.
Black Americans experience 20% more serious mental health conditions than other non-black Americans.
To educate yourself further:
It contains readings on the importance of mental health, self care, and healing for poc.
Article: Racial Battle Fatigue: What is it and What are the Symptoms?
The article discusses racial battle fatigue, causes, and symptoms of it.
Below are some resources that black students can implement:
An organization focused on supporting the mental health and emotional well-being of young people of color.
Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective (BEAM)
Group committed to the mental health and healing of black communities. They want to remove the barriers Black people face getting access to emotional health care, and they do this by educating training, advocating, and the creative arts.
It provides an array of mental health professionals and educates the community.
Provides access to more resources and evidence-based information about mental and behavioral health topics from a Black perspective. It also consists of training opportunities for both students and professionals.
A website dedicated to encouraging the mental wellness of black girls, as it educates strong young women and helps them find a therapist.
Citations:
American Psychological Association, American Psychological Association,
“Black and African American Communities and Mental Health.” Mental Health
America,
“Black/African American.” NAMI,
McClain, Shannon, et al. “An Examination of the Impact of Racial and Ethnic Identity,
Impostor Feelings, and Minority Status Stress on the Mental Health of Black
College Students.” Research Gate , Apr. 2016,
nation_of_the_Impact_of_Racial_and_Ethnic_Identity_Impostor_Feelings_an
d_Minority_Status_Stress_on_the_Mental_Health_of_Black_College_Students
/links/574da88808ae061b33035c70.pdf.
“Mental Health Resources for the Black Community.” Anxiety and Depression
Association of America, ADAA, adaa.org/blackcommunitymentalhealth.
“Office of Minority Health.” Mental and Behavioral Health - African Americans - The
Office of Minority Health, minorityhealth.hhs.gov/omh/browse.aspx?
lvl=4&lvlid=24.
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