Rising mental health concerns are at the forefront of people’s minds across the United States. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, factors that normally exacerbated mental health issues such as job loss, financial stress, and lack of support have thrown those in need of treatment into crisis. In recognition of Black history month, we seek to explore the intersection of Black experiences under these same pressures and more and the already existing disparity of mental health resources.
Access to mental healthcare is a major concern in general. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, nearly half of the 60 million adults and children living in the United States who suffer from mental health disorders go without treatment every year. Obstacles to mental health treatment are as varied as they are prevalent:
- Lack of insurance coverage or other cost barriers
- Inability to take time off of work or arrange childcare for appointments or in-patient programs
- Lack of education on disorders or how to find treatment options
- Stigma surrounding mental health issues
For members of minority communities, these factors are amplified and compounded by racially-charged issues. For example, 11.5% of Black adults in the U.S. had no form of health insurance in 2018.
In addition to socioeconomic reasons, facing the daily realities of racism, discrimination, and inequality in our society can be traumatic experiences. Furthermore, the same discriminatory factors that cause trauma are simultaneously causing lack of funding to necessary programs and increased stigma for those seeking treatment creating a seemingly endless and vicious cycle.
Lack of representation within the treatment community compounds the factors stacked against Black patients. According to the Black Mental Health Alliance, only 6.2% of practicing psychologists are members of minority groups. Without a first hand understanding of cultural components, aspects of patients’ mental illnesses can go unaddressed.
Black Pioneers of Mental Health
Despite the stark reality of Black experiences, recognition of the issues is the first step to improvement. Contributions of Black professionals to the realm of mental health are innumerable from groundbreaking education programs to resources designed by Black medical providers for their communities.
- Bebe Moore Campbell was a Black mental health activist and author. She wrote eight books, three of which topped the New York Times Best Sellers list, which addressed topics such as racial segregation in the United States and uniquely Black mental health experiences. She also established the Englewood chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness which served a predominantly underserved and Black community to address their mental health concerns.
- Dr. Mamie Phipps Clark was the first Black woman to obtain her doctorate degree in psychology from Columbia University. She and her husband Dr. Kenneth Clark opened the first center offering psychology and casework services in Harlem, New York.
- Robert Lee Williams II established Washington University’s Black Studies Program in 1969 and dedicated his career to examining the psychological understanding of Black patients.
- Dr. Joseph L. White spent 50 years of his life as a clinical provider, instructor, and practicing psychologist. He is widely recognized for his contributions to Black psychology by exposing implicit racial biases within the discipline.
For more information on Black pioneers of mental health, visit Mental Health America.
Black Mental Health Resources
Shine, a daily meditation mobile app, was developed by two women of color in response to the lack of representation in mainstream wellness. Marah Lidey, one of the co-founders of Shine, attributes her firsthand experience with racism in the United States as a major motivator for developing the app.
Brother, You’re On My Mind is a national program started by the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity in conjunction with The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities. The program aims to change the stigma surrounding mental health issues and seeking help for mental health disorders among Black men in the United States.
Black Mental Wellness was co-founded by four Black women psychologists. The website serves as a hub for evidenced-based resources from the Black perspective to offer culturally responsive information and to change the narrative of Black mental health.
At Alvarado Parkway Institute, we believe in Black mental wellness and understand the barriers our patients face. If you or someone you love is in need of mental health treatment, visit our Center for Mental Health & Addictive Disorders for more information.
