Please note: I will not tolerate any messages of hate or racism within the comments against black communities (or other POC’s). Please be kind, respectful, and think before you type.
Thank you.
Trying to unpick mental health in black communities is complex. I’ve been an unofficial mental health advocate and a writer on mental health issues for a long time. In my own way, I’ve tried to maintain a narrative about mental health issues and engage in conversation about this pressing issue.
Each year in England, 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem of some kind. 1 in 6 people report experiencing common mental health problems such as anxiety or depression in any given week. Given the pandemic, with lock-down, fear, bereavement, loss of jobs, income, and relationship breakdowns – our mental health is only likely to worsen.
It’s great to see celebrities raising awareness about mental health issues, but it’s still an issue that is hardly ever spoken about in friendship groups or in the work environment. Many people who experience mental health problems still hide away as if it were a dirty secret. And sadly this is even more prevalent within black communities.
Males within black communities are far more likely to be diagnosed with severe mental health problems than members of white groups. They’re also far more likely to be sectioned under the Mental Health Act.
A number of reasons could explain the shameful number of black males who are sectioned with complex mental health issues. Stereotyping, cultural barriers, unconscious bias, racism, and institutional racism all play their part. Stereotypes of black people, especially black males, in society and in the media depict them as being more threatening and aggressive than white people. Such unfair, shocking racist racial stereotypes go some way to explain why so many of our black men are sectioned.
When I was younger, I visited a black male friend who had been sectioned under the Mental Health Act. The health worker advised me not to visit him, but I went anyway. Through our conversation, I discovered a man who was depressed because of the breakdown of his relationship. It would be several years before his diagnosis of a personality disorder was wrong. By this time he’d become accustomed to his prescription drugs which led to unemployment. Sadly, he’s since passed away.
Also, adding to this issue is the black communities treat mental health. They barely speak of it, if at all. It’s stigmatized in general society in general but is largely avoided within black communities. This, coupled with the need for men to ‘be men’, which somehow translates to remaining silent about mental health. Many are wary of how people in authority perceive them, and instead of saying ‘I need help’, they self-medicate.
There’s also the belief that church and God can cure all illnesses. This is particularly true among the older generations. An older black person whom I had come to love was clearly struggling with depression. When I suggested they get support, they explained that they didn’t trust the authorities, and God would provide a solution. They consequently spent the majority of their life struggling.
Then there’s Racism.
There’s institutional and workplace racism. This is when colleagues and even managers play passive-aggressive games with some black employees. Often this appears in many forms but ultimately pushes staff toward workplace stress.
For me, it’s not that black people are more vulnerable to mental health problems than white people are. It’s that black people have to deal with everyday casual racism, stereotypes, and systemic racism. All while trying to go about their day-to-day life. With all that pressure placed on their shoulders, something would have to give: and that is often their mental health.
When a black person does go into the mental health system, they’re often met with the same issues that brought them there in the first instance; Stereotypes. If it’s a black man, he must be aggressive. If it’s a black woman, she must fit the angry black woman stereotype. Why not leave the stereotypes at the door and be professional? Instead, take into account that everyone is different. Look at the individual’s symptoms and what they personally require.
A better understanding of black people’s experience is needed. We need to discuss why so many of our black men and women are sectioned under the Mental Health Act.
Dawn-Maria France is the Editor-in-chief of news-led women’s magazine Yorkshire Women’s Life. She is an award-winning and accomplished journalists, children’s author and broadcaster, who is passionate about women’s rights, equality and diversity. She is a broadcasting veteran with experience on BBC TV, Sky and on Radio.
Dawn-Maria France children’s picture-book The Adventures of Jenny and Philip: We All Need Friends is out now.
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I feel awful for POC in the US right now. I never realized how racist my country was, which of course is because I am privileged with white skin. I try really hard to use my privilege to fight for those who are unable to fight, but I can imagine positive mental health can be hard to maintain in these very dark times.
I feel terrible too, and for those over here in the UK and NI where racism is very much still alive. My parents are very racist and as much as I try to call them out on it, it's so difficult and always ends in an argument about 'Us V them' and it's just disgusting. If I told you half the things they say you would be ashamed to be white.
I think this is a wonderful post and I appreciate your sharing as mental health is a serious issue for all races. I know many people that have suffered from mental health issues and talking about it and educating others is a way to bring light to the topic and ultimately it is how you will make the difference as well as help to bring forth the chances needed that help those in need. God Bless and thank you for sharing :)
Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment. I really appreciate it and couldn't thank you enough.
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing guest post. And to Dawn-Maria for writing it! Two VERY important topics that I feel like we're talking more openly about separately but not together. This has opened my eyes a lot x
Thank you so much for reading and commenting Jenny. I'm happy to say that Dawn-Maria will be guesting a lot more in relation to race and mental health. She has so much lived experience and i am more than happy to have her voice within my blog. I really want to include more POC & LGBTQ+ voices on my blog. Mental health is not just a white, privileged problem!
Mental health is something that all communities need to talk about. I wasn’t aware of the issues in the black community before reading this.
Thank you for reading and commenting. Much appreciated.
I think that what is happening at the moment is a wake up call to open everyone's eyes about systemic racism and how wrong it is to assume something about a person before even meeting them, based on their gender, skin color or appearance.
Thank you so much for reading and commenting with your opinion. I really appreciate it.
This is such an important topic right now to raise awareness. I hadn't realized all the issues facing the black community until recently.
Thank you so much for reading. Prior to this post I also wasn't aware. This really helped open my eyes.
So true! The more you talk about it, the more normal it becomes. It a shame racism still exists these days.
Thank you so much for reading! It's such an important topic to share!
Mental health is so important, now more than ever!
Mental health is an important topic. It can be hard for so many people to get the right help.
Mental health is not only necessary it is something so important to talk about to do something about.