Black Women’s Mental Health: It Takes Courage to Ask for Help!

Depression can be as sneaky as a sucker punch; you often don’t see it coming.¹ A variety of circumstances put Black women at high risk for mental and emotional stress – economic insecurity, responsibilities of caregiving, neighborhood violence, lack of social support and physical illness or disability. As a result, many are plagued by tension, anxiety, worry and fear. Because of the powerful and complex links between the mind, emotions and body, chronic states of stress and anxiety can have dangerous and sometime fatal, health consequences. In addition, the daily struggles of coping with racism and sexism further exacerbate mental and emotional stress.²

Depression, anxiety disorders and many other mental health ailments are highly treatable. “To unload the baggage of our lives, we have to get help. But before we are ready to seek help, we first must get over the shame we experience from our ‘weaknesses,’ and overcome the other barriers that prevent us from visiting mental health providers or using resources to address mental health concerns.”³

CABWHP launched our Black Women’s Mental Health Initiative in order to break down the walls of mistrust and eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health. Among other things, the following actions must be taken to accomplish this:⁴

• End stigmatized portrayals of consumers, providers and caregivers in the media
• Increase positive, informative reporting on mental health issues
• Publicize what people should look for and what they should tell the doctor
• Recognize and take account of cultural differences, including in the definitions of illness and stressors
• Give help respectfully. Use positive communication. Address protective as well as risk factors. Address mental health issues as normal, everyday matters.

It takes courage to ask for help! You need help when simply can’t cope. Not being able to cope may mean being unable to handle family tasks, inability to go to work, and even, in some cases, inability to get out of bed. It means that you’ve lost the capacity to experience and enjoy your ordinary life, and you feel overwhelmed by negative emotions and ideas.⁵

Go to your physician and let him/her know about your mental health concerns. Many doctors have screening tools available or can give you the name of a mental health provider to whom they can refer you. If your doctor’s referral does not work for you, call the National Mental Health Association at 1-800-969-NMHA. The NMHA can give you referrals in your area. If you are thinking of harming yourself, please immediately call 1-800-SUICIDE or go to your nearest emergency room.

You are worth it! Your mental and emotional health is a priority! Don’t wait until you are in a crisis to get help. You CAN achieve mental and emotional well-being.