As we honor Black History Month and the significant contributions of Black Americans to our country, we also recognize the disparities in health care - and behavioral health - for Black Americans.

Statistics shared by the US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health include:

In 2019, suicide was the second leading cause of death for Blacks or African Americans, ages 15 to 24.
The death rate from suicide for Black or African American men was four times greater than for African American women, in 2018.
The overall suicide rate for Black or African Americans was 60 percent lower than that of the non-Hispanic white population, in 2018.
Black females, grades 9-12, were 60 percent more likely to attempt suicide in 2019, as compared to non-Hispanic white females of the same age.
Poverty level affects mental health status. Black or African Americans living below the poverty level, as compared to those over twice the poverty level, are twice as likely to report serious psychological distress.
A report from the U.S. Surgeon General found that from 1980 - 1995, the suicide rate among African Americans ages 10 to 14 increased 233 percent as compared to 120 percent of non-Hispanic whites.

Behavioral health care plays a crucial role in reducing homelessness, incarcerations, and hospitalizations. It also bolsters people’s ability to engage with family, school, work, and primary care – and creates lasting economic and health benefits for individuals, families, and the community.

Inequity will not go away without access to behavioral health care for all. We can do better.

According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, African Americans are at significantly increased risk to experience serious mental health problems than the general population. As Black History Month wraps up, we’d like to share a couple of resources and articles we’ve seen this last month specifically focused on mental wellness in the African American community.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) indicates that while “anyone can develop a mental health problem, African Americans sometimes experience more severe forms of mental health conditions due to unmet needs and other barriers.”

A few of the more common mental health conditions experienced by the African American community include:

Major depression
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Suicide, particularly among young African American men
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), because African Americans are, unfortunately, at increased risk to be victims of violent crime

NAMI devotes this page to how mental health affects the African American community and resources for support.

Each Mind Matters, California’s Mental Health Movement, writes that “historically, enslavement, lack of economic opportunity, oppression and cultural bias have led to high poverty in the African American community. These factors can lead to homelessness, incarceration, and substance use problems, which increase the chances of poor mental health.” Each Mind Matters provides a comprehensive resource page and list of tools to help individuals reach out for support when needed.

The Alameda County Everyone Counts Campaign highlights how superstar rapper Jay-Z has emerged as a hero to African-American communities as he has spoken out about mental health stigma removing barriers to seeking help for mental health in the African-American community. Read the recap, with links to related articles, here.

While this is just a short list of many resources and articles, we hope this discussion of mental health in the African American community, and across all communities, continues. Together, we can increase awareness of mental health issues and mental wellness, and support those who need help.