What You Need to Know About Mental Health In The Black Community

All races in America experience mental health equally. However, the number of people receiving treatment differs based on race. For instance, African Americans suffer from mental health conditions at the same rate as other racial groups but are less likely to pursue treatment.

According to Samsha, in the past year, multiracial individuals received therapy at (17.1%), white adults (16.6%) American Indian or Alaska Natives (15.6%), followed by African Americans (8.6%), Hispanic (7.3%), and Asians (4.9%).  

There are several reasons Black Americans do not seek mental health services. Here are a few: 

• Stigma 
• Trust 
• Access to quality care   

How to Understand the Stigma Associated with Mental Illness

Destigmatizing mental health in the Black community begins with understanding the long history of racism and exploitation of Blacks in America and its lasting effect on today’s society. 

Historically, African Americans were dehumanization and not considered sophisticated enough to have mental health conditions. Yet, they were often lied to and used for medical experiments and examinations without consent leading to a lack of trust in the healthcare field. 

We’ve come a long way as a society, but we have a long way to go because distrust and biases are still present.

Suffer in Silence

The mental health care system was built on systematic racism impacting how, when, and where we receive treatment. Cultural biases contribute to African Americans receiving poor quality of care while being misdiagnosed or overdiagnosed. 

Research shows Black clients report the same symptoms as white clients yet receive a more severe diagnosis in many cases.  

Black Americans report feeling disregarded or misunderstood when receiving treatment from a provider who is not culturally competent. Sharing personal information about their family, life, or home may lead to problems that were nonexistent before disclosure. Clients are less likely to complete treatment if they do not trust their therapist.

According to American Psychiatric Association, African Americans are less likely to receive guideline-consistent care, are less frequently included in research, and are more likely to use emergency rooms or primary care physicians (rather than a mental health specialist).

Strength in the Community

Rightfully so, skepticism has been passed down by generations and confirmed in present-day experiences. Therefore, many Black Americans turn to family and church for emotional support instead of seeking professional help.  

The Black church is the only African American institution that hasn’t changed, and it represents a place of strength. Both family and the church are essential in the Black community. However, some mental health issues require professional help. 

Only one in three Black Americans needing professional mental health treatment receive it. The stigma associated with mental health in the Black community prevents many from seeking the proper level of care. For many, it is seen as weakness causing shame. 

Without proper treatment, mental health issues can linger and spill over into other areas of a person’s life. 

How To Access Quality Care And The Impact Of Cultural Competency 

Systematic racism contributes to economic disparities and directly impacts the Black community, causing a domino effect: employment and income drive housing and insurance.  

Survival is a priority when living below the poverty level, and yet health insurance is usually the first necessity to go. Where you live impacts access to quality care. Not all therapists accept Medicaid, narrowing the options to choose a well-trained culturally-competent therapist. 

Why The Mental Health Field Lacks Cultural Competency

When a therapist is not properly trained to work with a population, they will unlikely not understand their clients, which increases provider bias thereby causing more harm. 

To provide quality care, mental health providers must understand the population they serve. Understanding the values, experiences, and personal beliefs of their clients allows therapists to align treatment with cultural values, increasing the chances for a positive outcome. 

Why Black Therapists Matter

Finding a Black therapist or psychologist can play a significant role in treatment success. Unfortunately, only 2% of mental health providers are Black, making it challenging for African Americans to find a therapist who looks like them. 

Due to the stigma and fears of sharing intimate details, trust is a fundamental element between the client and therapist. 

If you are looking for a therapist who understands you, check out Connect2Heal, a site created to help decrease health disparities by connecting people of color with culturally-competent therapists. 

 Joycelyn Wilson, LMHC