Part 1:Mental Health In the Black Community: Why Black Americans Should Seek Therapy

By Nafisah Harley, MS, LAC

It is said that those who are deprived of justice experience a sense of mental imbalance. Black Americans have experienced transgenerational trauma, racial profiling, some have experienced the school to prison pipeline system, whitewashed history, health disparities, poverty, increased suicide rates; all of these are linked to the marginalization and injustice of Black Americans. Because mental illness is not visibly tangible, it is often dismissed, minimized, or disregarded. There are indelible scars left on the minds, hearts, and spirits of Black Americans. Emotional and psychological wounds run deeply and are essentially embedded in Black American’s genetic makeup.

The injustice, trauma, and institutionalized racism that Black people have endured has contributed to serious mental health concerns, leading many to experience symptoms of PTSD. In fact, sixteen percent (4.8 million) of Black people reported having a mental illness in 2018, and 22.4 percent of those (1.1 million people) reported a serious mental illness (SMI), according to a National Survey (SAMHSA, 2018). More than half never sought treatment. That same research concluded that 433,000 (9.4%) young Black adults ages 18-25 struggled with a major depressive episode, and 111,000 young Black adults attempted suicide (SAMHSA, 2018). 

Many Black Americans do not seek treatment for a multitude of reasons, including inadequate health care coverage, lack of psychoeducation or resources, mistrust, and stigma. Seeking help is often perceived as being weak, but if a person is struggling physically, at some point, they see a doctor. Similarly, if one is struggling emotionally, psychologically, and mentally, it is recommended to seek treatment from a therapist. It is imperative to select the best fit because having a good therapeutic relationship can increase the likelihood of progress made in treatment. Some may decide that therapy "doesn't work" simply because they had an unpleasant experience in the past. Perhaps, it is simply because it was not the best match. 

So, when asked the question why do Black people need therapy? I think the question should be how could we not? While we have a beautiful and rich culture filled with song, dance, rhythm, and food, part of our cultural sustainability rest in seeking therapy to process generational pain, current injustices that may be affecting daily functioning and to become more aware of the importance of taking care of mental health. As resilient as the culture has been, the culture can continue its resilience through restoration and rejuvenation that can be provided by therapy.

Reference:

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (2018). 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: African Americans. www.Samhsa.gov.