Mental Healthcare In The Black Community

By Author: eMedEvents
Total Articles: 34
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One of the most important aspects of overall well-being is mental health. Unfortunately, when it comes to mental health care, the Black population has historically been undervalued and ignored. A few of the causes of severe mental health issues that many Black people experience include racism, discrimination, poverty, and structural oppression. Mental health in the Black community requires extra focus from authorized healthcare bodies to address the underlying issues and allow the community to thrive.

The Challenges
Slavery: Jim Crow laws and other forms of injustice have long affected the Black community. Intergenerational trauma can result from the effects of these events being passed down from one generation to the next. This can show up as a mental health condition such as PTSD, anxiety, or depression. In order to address the mental health issues in the Black community, it is crucial to comprehend this historical trauma and how it impacts people individually and as a family.

This is one of the primary reasons why therapists require specialized training to have a cultural understanding of the community ...
... and where they are coming from. Sadly, in the US, only 2 percent of the therapists belong to the Black community and this prevents Black individuals from reaching out for help.

Finances: are another aspect that stops Black individuals from attending mental health therapy sessions. Let’s face the truth: therapy is expensive. The people from the community struggle when it comes to employment and business opportunities; the discrimination affects their professional life as well. This setup makes it hard for them to be able to afford mental healthcare.

Social stigma: around mental health is another challenge that’s prevalent in the Black community. Poor mental health is looked upon as a sign of weakness. This prevents individuals from speaking up about it or reaching out for help. A recent study says that only 25% of Black individuals would seek mental health therapy, compared to 40% of white individuals.

Paving Way for Better Mental Healthcare
It’s important to make the Black community feel safe when it comes to mental healthcare. Therapists should be trained to offer culturally sensitive care and support. Training HCPs regarding the cultural background of the community will also help in fostering empathy that can lead to better support services.