Exploring the Mental Health Stigma in Black Communities

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBeliefs About Mental IllnessCommunity StigmaBreaking Down the Stigma

Table of ContentsView All

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Table of Contents

Beliefs About Mental Illness

Community Stigma

Breaking Down the Stigma

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While Black Americans experience a wide range of attitudes toward mental health treatment, there’s a stigma surrounding mental illness that prevents some people from getting help.

It’s important to consider how thestigma—and the forces that create the stigma—may make it difficult for individuals to reach out to a mental health professional.

Some communities accept the idea that mental illnesses are health problems that require treatment. But in other communities, there’s a serious stigma that implies a mental health problem is a sign of weakness and should be kept hidden from others.

Beliefs about mental illness are formed through experience, cultural traditions, and formal education. Stories fromfriendsand family also play a role.

If family members talk about a “crazy” uncle who had to get hospitalized, younger generations may grow to believe that having a mental illness means you can’t function in society.

Similarly, if someone who commits a crime is said to have a mental illness, it may perpetuate the belief that individuals with mental illness are violent. Anyone that commits a crime or displays some type of undesired “bad” behavior would be stigmatized as having a mental illness or along that spectrum, which isn’t necessarily true.

These types of beliefs reinforce the idea that mental illness is shameful.

Ideas about mental illness that may reinforce the stigma include beliefs about:

There are many cultural factors, societal pressures, and stereotypes that may influence beliefs about mental health in the Black community.

Factors That Affect Mental Health

The Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health reports that Black adults in the U.S. are more likely than white adults to report symptoms of emotional distress, such as sadness, hopelessness, and feelings that everything is an effort.

Individuals in the Black community likely experience distressing events that affect their mental health.Racism, discrimination, and inequity affect a person’s psychological well-being. The stress may increase a person’s risk of mental illness. Some experiences may even be traumatizing.

Financial problems tend to increase the chances of an individual will experience serious psychological distress. Black adults who live below the poverty line are two times more likely to report serious psychological distress than those living above it.

It is also important to remember that these social determinants of health are all layered, with racism adding in another substantial layer.

Mental Health Treatment Disparities

Only 1 in 3 Black Americans who could benefit from mental health treatment receive it. This may be in part due to thedisparities in mental health treatment.

Black individuals often lack access to culturally competent care. As a result, the treatment they receive is often poorer.

Black individuals are less frequently included in research, which means their experiences with symptoms or treatments are less likely to be taken into consideration.

They’re also more likely to go to the emergency room or talk to their primary care physician when they’re experiencing mental health issues, rather than seeing a mental health professional.

Contributing to the disparities is the fact that Blacks are more likely to have involuntary treatment, whether it is forced inpatient or outpatient treatment. This contributes to the stigma, hostility, and lack of willingness to voluntarily seek care.

Much of the research has found that the Black community has a high degree of stigma associated with mental illness. In the 1990s, a public opinion poll found that 63% of African Americans believeddepressionwas a personal weakness and only 31% believed it was a health problem.

Other studies have found that the Black community is more inclined to say that mental illness is associated with shame and embarrassment. Individuals and families in the Black community are also more likely to hide the illness.

Individuals in the Black community may be more likely to believe that since they’ve survived so much adversity, they’re strong—and no one has a right to tell them that there is something wrong with them (since they may view a mental health issue as weakness).

Studies that specifically examine the beliefs of Black women are scarce. But, one study found that Black women were more likely to believe that individuals develop depression due to having a “weak mind, poor health, a troubled spirit, and lack of self-love.”

But not all studies indicate a high degree of stigma among Black women. One study, conducted in 2009, found that most Black women didn’t have a stigma attached to mental illness. Researchers found that women understood the causes of mental illness, accurately identified many of the symptoms, were aware of the potential consequences, and believed that mental illness could be managed with treatment and personal motivation.

Many of the women in the study identified a variety of positive coping skills. In addition to saying they would seek treatment, they also identified faith, prayer, and support from friends and family as go-to coping strategies.

Code Switching: How and Why It Happens

Reducing the stigma could increase the likelihood that individuals with mental health issues will seek treatment. Treatment could help them live happier, more fulfilling lives.

Breaking down the stigma will likely involve a two-pronged approach; increasing the number of culturally competent providers and changing the narrative surrounding mental illness.

Education surrounding mental illness and normalizing mental health problems may help individuals recognize that treatment for a mental health problem doesn’t have to be any more shameful than treatment for a physical health problem.

It’s also important for mental health treatment providers to be equipped to care for individuals in the Black community. Culturally competent therapists and psychiatrists could help ease mistrust and provide better care.

The publication of some recent books may help reduce the mental health stigma among African Americans. Some titles include:

There are also podcasts and influencers on social media who are helping break down the stigma. Rappers have made a number of songs discussing mental health issues, including G Herbo, Polo G, and Quando Rondo. Other celebrities have used their platforms for awareness-raising and tackling some of the issues.

There are also culturally relevant apps and websites that people can turn to for advice, resources, and even online therapy. All of these things are contributing to reducing stigma among African Americans.

How to Find a Culturally Sensitive Therapist

A Word From Verywell

If you suspect a loved one is experiencing a mental health issue, talk to them. Open conversations about mental health can help break down the stigma and encourage more people to seek help.

How to Find a Therapist

8 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ward EC, Heidrich SM.African American women’s beliefs about mental illness, stigma, and preferred coping behaviors. Res Nurs Health. 2009;32(5):480-492. doi:10.1002/nur.20344Mental Health and Behavioral Health - African Americans. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of Minority Health.2018 NSDUH Detailed Tables. SAMHSA.Diversity and Health Equity Education. American Psychiatric Association.Bell CC, Jackson WM, Bell BH.Misdiagnosis of African-Americans with Psychiatric Issues - Part II. J Natl Med Assoc. 2015;107(3):35-41. doi:10.1016/S0027-9684(15)30049-3Lynch HT.Involuntary hospitalization and bias against marginalized groups.SURJ: The Standford Undergraduate Research Journal. 2019;18(1).Thompson-Sanders VL, Bazile A, Akbar M.African Americans' perceptions of psychotherapy and psychotherapists. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice. 2004;35(1):19–26.Ward EC, Heidrich SM.African American women’s beliefs about mental illness, stigma, and preferred coping behaviors. Res Nurs Health. 2009;32(5):480-492. doi:10.1002/nur.20344Additional ReadingDeFreitas SC, Crone T, DeLeon M, Ajayi A.Perceived and personal mental health stigma in latino and african american college students.Front Public Health. 2018;6:49 doi:10.3389/fpubh.2018.00049Fripp JA, Carlson RG.Exploring the influence of attitude and stigma on participation of african american and latino populations in mental health services.Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development. 2017;45(2):80-94. doi:10.1002/jmcd.12066

8 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ward EC, Heidrich SM.African American women’s beliefs about mental illness, stigma, and preferred coping behaviors. Res Nurs Health. 2009;32(5):480-492. doi:10.1002/nur.20344Mental Health and Behavioral Health - African Americans. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of Minority Health.2018 NSDUH Detailed Tables. SAMHSA.Diversity and Health Equity Education. American Psychiatric Association.Bell CC, Jackson WM, Bell BH.Misdiagnosis of African-Americans with Psychiatric Issues - Part II. J Natl Med Assoc. 2015;107(3):35-41. doi:10.1016/S0027-9684(15)30049-3Lynch HT.Involuntary hospitalization and bias against marginalized groups.SURJ: The Standford Undergraduate Research Journal. 2019;18(1).Thompson-Sanders VL, Bazile A, Akbar M.African Americans' perceptions of psychotherapy and psychotherapists. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice. 2004;35(1):19–26.Ward EC, Heidrich SM.African American women’s beliefs about mental illness, stigma, and preferred coping behaviors. Res Nurs Health. 2009;32(5):480-492. doi:10.1002/nur.20344Additional ReadingDeFreitas SC, Crone T, DeLeon M, Ajayi A.Perceived and personal mental health stigma in latino and african american college students.Front Public Health. 2018;6:49 doi:10.3389/fpubh.2018.00049Fripp JA, Carlson RG.Exploring the influence of attitude and stigma on participation of african american and latino populations in mental health services.Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development. 2017;45(2):80-94. doi:10.1002/jmcd.12066

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Ward EC, Heidrich SM.African American women’s beliefs about mental illness, stigma, and preferred coping behaviors. Res Nurs Health. 2009;32(5):480-492. doi:10.1002/nur.20344Mental Health and Behavioral Health - African Americans. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of Minority Health.2018 NSDUH Detailed Tables. SAMHSA.Diversity and Health Equity Education. American Psychiatric Association.Bell CC, Jackson WM, Bell BH.Misdiagnosis of African-Americans with Psychiatric Issues - Part II. J Natl Med Assoc. 2015;107(3):35-41. doi:10.1016/S0027-9684(15)30049-3Lynch HT.Involuntary hospitalization and bias against marginalized groups.SURJ: The Standford Undergraduate Research Journal. 2019;18(1).Thompson-Sanders VL, Bazile A, Akbar M.African Americans' perceptions of psychotherapy and psychotherapists. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice. 2004;35(1):19–26.Ward EC, Heidrich SM.African American women’s beliefs about mental illness, stigma, and preferred coping behaviors. Res Nurs Health. 2009;32(5):480-492. doi:10.1002/nur.20344

Ward EC, Heidrich SM.African American women’s beliefs about mental illness, stigma, and preferred coping behaviors. Res Nurs Health. 2009;32(5):480-492. doi:10.1002/nur.20344

Mental Health and Behavioral Health - African Americans. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of Minority Health.

2018 NSDUH Detailed Tables. SAMHSA.

Diversity and Health Equity Education. American Psychiatric Association.

Bell CC, Jackson WM, Bell BH.Misdiagnosis of African-Americans with Psychiatric Issues - Part II. J Natl Med Assoc. 2015;107(3):35-41. doi:10.1016/S0027-9684(15)30049-3

Lynch HT.Involuntary hospitalization and bias against marginalized groups.SURJ: The Standford Undergraduate Research Journal. 2019;18(1).

Thompson-Sanders VL, Bazile A, Akbar M.African Americans' perceptions of psychotherapy and psychotherapists. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice. 2004;35(1):19–26.

DeFreitas SC, Crone T, DeLeon M, Ajayi A.Perceived and personal mental health stigma in latino and african american college students.Front Public Health. 2018;6:49 doi:10.3389/fpubh.2018.00049Fripp JA, Carlson RG.Exploring the influence of attitude and stigma on participation of african american and latino populations in mental health services.Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development. 2017;45(2):80-94. doi:10.1002/jmcd.12066

DeFreitas SC, Crone T, DeLeon M, Ajayi A.Perceived and personal mental health stigma in latino and african american college students.Front Public Health. 2018;6:49 doi:10.3389/fpubh.2018.00049

Fripp JA, Carlson RG.Exploring the influence of attitude and stigma on participation of african american and latino populations in mental health services.Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development. 2017;45(2):80-94. doi:10.1002/jmcd.12066

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