Mental Health in the Black Community: You Don’t Have to Struggle Alone

Mental health is health. And talking about it should not be a sign of weakness, it should be a sign that you are willing to fight for yourself.

For generations, the Black community has been expected to be strong no matter what we are going through. We have been taught to keep pushing, take care of everybody else, pray about it, and sometimes simply “deal with it.”

But strength does not mean suffering in silence.

Sometimes you need to talk to somebody.

Sometimes you need professional help.

And sometimes the strongest thing you can do is admit, “I’m not okay right now.”

The Mental Health Challenges Are Real

Mental health affects people in every community, including the Black community. But Black Americans can face additional pressures that can contribute to stress, anxiety, depression and other mental health challenges, including discrimination, economic inequality, community violence, work and family pressures, and limited access to culturally responsive care.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, millions of Black Americans experience mental illness each year.

Data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has also shown significant levels of mental illness among Black adults, while treatment rates remain lower than they should be.

The numbers tell only part of the story.

There are people who never make it into those statistics because they never tell anyone what they’re experiencing.

They suffer quietly.

They go to work.

They raise their children.

They take care of their families.

They show up for everybody else.

And inside, they may be falling apart.

We Have to Change the Conversation

There is nothing weak about seeing a therapist.

There is nothing weak about talking to a counselor.

There is nothing weak about taking medication when prescribed by a qualified medical professional.

There is nothing weak about joining a support group.

And there is nothing weak about saying:

“I need help.”

Our community has to make it easier for people to say those words without being judged.

Mental health isn’t something that should only be discussed after someone reaches a breaking point.

We should be checking on our brothers, sisters, children, parents, friends and neighbors before the crisis happens.

Finding Mental Health Services in Your City or State

If you’re looking for help, start locally.

Depending on where you live, mental health resources may be available through:

• Community mental health centers
• County or city behavioral-health departments
• Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)
• Hospitals and health systems
• Licensed therapists and counselors
• Black therapists and culturally responsive providers
• Faith-based counseling and support programs
• College and university counseling centers
• Veterans’ mental-health services
• Substance-use treatment programs
• Domestic-violence and family-support organizations
• Nonprofit organizations
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) through employers
• Telehealth mental-health services

You don’t necessarily need to know exactly what’s wrong before reaching out.

You can simply tell a professional:

“I’ve been struggling and I don’t know what to do.”

That’s enough to start the conversation.

If Money Is the Problem

Don’t automatically assume therapy is unaffordable.

Ask providers about sliding-scale fees, Medicaid, Medicare, insurance coverage, community programs, free support groups and low-cost clinics.

Many communities also have behavioral-health organizations that provide services based on income.

If you don’t have insurance, that doesn’t mean you have no options.

Black Mental Health Matters

Representation matters.

For some people, being able to sit across from a Black therapist who understands aspects of their cultural experience can make it easier to open up.

That doesn’t mean you have to find a therapist who looks exactly like you. The most important thing is finding a qualified professional you feel comfortable talking to and who respects your experiences and needs.

And if the first therapist isn’t the right fit?

Keep looking.

Finding the right person may take time.

Talk to Somebody

You don’t have to wait until you’re suicidal to ask for help.

You don’t have to wait until your relationship falls apart.

You don’t have to wait until you can’t get out of bed.

You don’t have to wait until you’re having a breakdown.

Talk to somebody when you first realize something isn’t right.

Talk to your doctor.

Talk to a therapist.

Talk to a trusted family member.

Talk to a friend.

Talk to your pastor or spiritual leader if that’s important to you.

And if you’re in immediate emotional distress or thinking about suicide, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available in the United States and its territories. You can call or text 988 or use 988 Lifeline online chat.

If you are in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

Black Independent Media Network Is Here to Help

At Black Independent Media Network, we believe our responsibility goes beyond reporting the news.

We believe in connecting our community with information that can help people live better, healthier and more empowered lives.

If you or someone you know is looking for mental-health resources, reach out to us.

Tell us what city and state you’re in and what type of help you’re looking for, and we will do our best to help you identify resources in your area.

You don’t have to have all the answers.

You don’t have to explain everything perfectly.

And you don’t have to be ashamed.

Your mental health matters. Your life matters. Your story matters.

Talk to somebody. Ask for help. And don’t suffer in silence.

Black Independent Media Network — informing our community, connecting our people, and helping make sure nobody has to navigate life’s challenges alone.