Black History Month and Mental Health

Feb 1

Black History Month is a time of year that we can reconnect and recommit to justice in mental wellness, as well as honor and highlight a truthful history. Since the onset of the pandemic youth, adults, and families have been seeking mental health care in remarkable numbers. Although rates of mental health challenges among Black adults are similar to those of the general population, Black individuals experience more persistent psychological distress and are less likely to receive mental health care. Mixed race and multiracial individuals report even greater mental health concerns than other races and ethnicities. It is no surprise that persistent, systemic racism alongside historical and current trauma has impacted stress and mental wellness among people of color. Although there is deep resilience rooted in individual, community, and ancestral strength, racial trauma increases the risk of psychological distress.

Striking to us at Mind is the fact that Black youth, individuals, and families are less likely to be offered evidence-based therapy. Black individuals experience OCD at similar rates to the general population, yet report more persistent, life interfering symptoms and are less likely to manage those symptoms. We can only assume that poor cultural and racial knowledge, racism within insurance network policies, implicit bias, and other factors are at play. Although our niche at Mind Chicago is evidence-based approaches, such as Exposure and Response Prevention for OCD, we deeply value healing in a variety of fashions. Healing is not only found in the therapy office but can occur within educational, communal, spiritual, family, and other spaces. However, poor cultural and racial knowledge, humility, and awareness create barriers to many healing spaces, including therapy.

Black History Month offers us an opportunity to revisit our yearly commitments, assess where we can grow, and actively promote access to relevant and responsive, as well as evidence-based - if desired and appropriate - therapy spaces for Black youth and families.