The Disparities of Mental Health within the Black Community

By Hannah Scott

Mental health; it’s a topic that has been overlooked and undervalued by society. For many individuals, it can be a struggle to reach out for help when they are feeling unwell, but for others, the barriers to finding treatment can be even larger than what many can imagine.

“Although there are over 13% of Black Americans in the United States, the American Psychological Association reports that only 4% of Black psychologists are in the workforce,” said Lisa Dazzell, graduate assistant in the department of psychology at Iowa State University. “This dearth of representation promotes a lack of cultural sensitivity, differential treatment, over-pathologizing of Black patients and stigma around mental health care”

Within the Black community in the U.S., mental health has been on the rise as one of the largest issues many individuals face.

The issue of mental health is stigmatized, but within the Black community, the stigma can often become even worse. For Black individuals, the struggle to reach out can seem like a challenge as a minority whose feelings are invalidated. It is also much more common for individuals living in these areas to reach out to others in their community such as religious leaders or friends instead of professionals.

“I think the reasoning for this relates back to members of the Black community having mistrust in doctors, based on the disproportionate amount of Black deaths in hospitals,” said Alexia Stumpf, a senior in apparel, merchandising and design. “The same ideas are held around seeking professional mental health services and the fact that those services are unaffordable to a lot of people in the community.”

The cost can often be another large factor as to why individuals decide to forgo professional medical treatment. Although some may want to reach elsewhere outside of their community to find somebody to talk to, it can be a challenge when you are living in an impoverished area and are struggling with finances in other areas of your life.

“Unfortunately much of the Black community is impoverished and they simply do not have access to services that could help,” said Janae Maurer, a car saleswoman from Kansas City, Missouri. “There is also a modern stigma that Black patients feel less pain or that Black patients lie, which is something that is obviously bad.”

One of the hardest aspects of coming to terms with needing help with your mental health for so many people is the idea that it makes you “weak” as an individual.

This can be especially hard within the Black community as there is often a sense of needing to be “strong” or “tough,” especially among men. Much of this comes from the oppression of the Black community from outside forces and creates a feeling around Black individuals that they need to become hardened from pain.

“When we work until we are tired, we are betraying ourselves,” said Dazzell. “In fact, when we overwork ourselves, we further invest in capitalism and white supremacy, which promotes the idea that we are only worthy when we labor. Therefore, I want all Black people to know that you are always worthy, whether you are laboring or resting.”

I want all Black people to know that you are always worthy” -Lisa Dazzell

For many non BIPOC individuals, it can seem difficult to understand their roles in the systems and how to not only stop oppression but help individuals more easily be able to seek the aid they need and build themselves a better life.

While the answers may seem simple, there are a few things that can be done to help the cause and break stigmas.

“The best way for non-colored individuals to be an ally for this issue would be to speak up against injustices,” said Stumpf. “See something, say something - it’s as simple as that. The ultimate way to be an ally and help these communities would be to use your power to vote and overcome these disparities by electing leaders who share the same ideals.”

However, you can also use your monetary resources if possible to reach and help those in the Black community as well.

“Systemic poverty is a result of white supremacy, which all non-Black people benefit from,” said Dazzell. “In order to divest from this harm, it’s always important to invest in Black people and Black-owned businesses.”

Ultimately, one of the most important aspects of becoming an ally to any community is educating yourself and understanding the struggles some may have to go through that you yourself have not. Keeping yourself knowledgeable is only the start of making sure you can help and support others in minority communities.

“I think the most important thing individuals can do is educate themselves,” said Maurer. “Ignorance isn’t only bliss, it’s dangerous for many people involved.”