MENTAL HEALTH
OVERLOOKED AND UNDERSERVED:
The Mental Health Crisis of Black Women By Dr. Malaika M. Brown
T
he black woman is often considered the backbone of the black community and more specifically the black church. We often see black athletes thanking their mothers when they achieve a major milestone. On the surface, it seems like the black woman is revered but the story told by the group does not align. In 2018 studies, the black woman made up 60% of the black population. It has also been found in other studies that women in the black church make up almost 80% of the population. But even with an overwhelming presence in society and the church, the black woman and her issues are often overlooked. Many black women admit to being exhausted, anxious and overwhelmed with how they are perceived by others in and out of the community, balancing all the roles and tasks they do daily and the lack of support they receive. These issues reached a fever pitch during 2020. COVID-19 has exposed a pre-existing condition in the population of black women. Mental health among this group has been challenged due to a variety of factors, such as “the strong black woman syndrome,” racial issues, the stigma of seeking mental health services and navigating all of the unique roles that they occupy. The pandemic did not create these conditions, but it metastasized them. As if that wasn’t enough, 2020 as a year leveled many women, who had to deal with worrying about jobs, meeting financial obligations, how their children will be educated from home, losing loved ones and not being able to properly remember them. Black women have admitted that the pandemic only intensified what they were already experiencing, and the disconnection physically and socially left them feeling helpless because they were no longer able to avoid their issues. As members of a larger group that already suffers with societal stigma surrounding mental illness, black women face additional challenges with getting the support that they need. Among black adults, only about 30% access mental health care for treatable conditions, compared to 48% among white adults. Black women particularly have reported in studies conducted by the
THE CHRISTIAN OUTLOOK
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association (SAMHSA) to feeling sad, hopeless and apprehensive about life. Seeking professional care is not always an option, especially in the black church. The lack of African American psychologists, a very low 4% among all providers, black women are overwhelmed because they cannot find professionals who understand their unique lived experiences. There is also the misguided belief that mental health care is contradictive to faith that must be contended with as well. With challenges such as lack of cultural competency in providers, financial concerns, lack of access to evidencebased medications and being poorly understood in treatment circles, black women now have to be creative in addressing their mental health. Seeking out care from graduate students in training to become psychologists or clinics that offer free or sliding scale fees can be a viable option for receiving quality care that doesn’t break the bank. Also, some DIY approaches to mental health care can go a long way. As women, before taking on any of the various roles occupied for the day, ease into the day by starting with 10 minutes of prayer, meditation or gratitude journaling. Forming a sister circle with other black women to uplift and empower can be another indigenous form of healing. Additionally, sleep is an often-neglected necessity. Sleep is directly linked to mental health and getting at least seven to eight quality hours of sleep a night goes a long way. Malaika M. Brown, Ph.D. Clinician | Educator | Motivator | Author | Podcaster Author of the upcoming book Free Indeed: 30-day Guide on the Journey to Forgiveness www.malaikambrown.com Bethlehem Temple Community Church, Fontana, CA (Dr. Margie Garrett, Pastor) Southern California District Council
“POSITIONED FOR PROMISE”
MARCH/APRIL 2021
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