Black women need mental healthcare they can relate to and rely on

The data shows that Black women often experience anxiety and depression differently. Black women with symptoms of depression may report sleep disturbances, irritability, appetite changes and self-criticism more than the typical depressed mood associated with this condition.

These variations in depression symptoms could translate to under diagnoses and missed prognoses for Black women, creating a generational cycle of stigma and under treatment.

Additionally, when seeking care, Black women report significant disparities in mental health treatment. When Black women share their concerns, they’re often met with reminders of how “strong they are” and forced to endure pain and discomfort beyond a degree of reasonable tolerance.

This implied resilience often leaves Black women struggling to feel safe expressing difficult emotions and having them validated by health care providers.

Black women share that when disclosing mental health symptoms to their primary care doctors, they are often encouraged to “reduce their stress” or “get treatment to manage anger”.

​This invalidating response fosters a space of distrust, leading Black women to be reluctant to seek therapy and delay reaching out for support until their symptoms are significantly interfering with day-to-day life.

One key factor required to reduce disparities Black women face in receiving quality health care, is acknowledging that the approach to support they need may be different than the standard.