Mental illness affects more than 43 million American adults. But barriers to accessing treatment continue to leave those struggling at risk.
More than 100 million Americans, for example, are reported to live in areas without enough mental health workers to address the needs of their population. Aside from accessibility, common barriers to care also include skepticism, cost and stigma.
While getting adequate mental health care is a challenge for many Americans, it poses unique difficulties for members of the Black community. In addition to issues like cost and stigma, Black Americans also face provider discrimination and inequality of care. With the small number of Black mental health care professionals, many Black Americans know even if they do manage to overcome stigmas surrounding mental illness and identify a need for therapy and seek help, they can end up with a practitioner who is racist, who does not understand their experiences and needs, or is otherwise unable to address their needs.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness posits that these very real barriers can lead many Black people to turn to family, faith and social communities for emotional support more often than mental health care professionals. Unfortunately, though interpersonal relationships are vital sources of support, they can prove inadequate for those struggling with serious mental health concerns.
Black Americans are 20 percent more likely to have mental illness than the general population, with common diagnoses including major depression, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, suicide and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. Psychologists continue to study the immense psychological trauma of racism and to look into the way oppression leads to increased exposure to mental illness risk factors like homelessness and witnessing or experiencing violence.
Though the stigmas, financial burdens and challenges to effective practitioners can seem overwhelming, know that if you are a black American dealing with mental health issues, you are not alone. According to…
…an infographic from the online MSW from the University of Southern California, about 15 percent of Black Americans experience mental illness, and there are resources available to help you find care that appropriately addresses your needs.
Mental Health America offers a guide to help discern which symptoms indicate potential mental health issues and outlines myriad ways to take the leap and start the process of finding a mental health care provider. Symptoms to look out for include confused thinking, highs and lows, strong feelings of anger, and prolonged depression or irritability.
Taking the First Step
Suggestions of ways to begin seeking care include getting a referral from a primary care doctor, or, if you have health insurance, accessing a list of in-network therapy providers. There are also lists of participating doctors available online for those using Medicare and often Medicaid. Other options include care for veterans through the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs and affordable offerings through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration or your local health department or community mental health center. (Head over to the Mental Health America website to see their full list of resources and find the right match for you.)
While there is no replacement for professional help, there are steps you can try on your own that could aid the recovery process as you seek or get started with the right therapist or social worker. Increasing joy and relaxation in your life can be an non-intimidating way to begin. Take care of yourself by listening to your body’s need for sleep, for example, or by spending time each day doing an activity you love. According to Mental Health America, cultivating connections both to yourself and those around you is beneficial to recovery and can help develop resiliency that will assist you as you work to get better.
Mental illness can feel extremely isolating. But remember you are not alone. If you seek professional care, you can find others out there who can understand and help you make sense of what you’re experiencing and work with you toward a more emotionally manageable future.
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