"For years, mental health education and awareness in Black communities has been fueled by negative stigmas, racial discrimination in mental health care and a lack of equitable access to resources and services... When black people—especially black women—report health problems, symptoms or medical issues to professionals, their experiences are commonly minimized or ignored. They are commonly told directly or indirectly that they are exaggerating, and they are treated accordingly. When they request or advocate for specific tests or services, they are commonly reminded they are not themselves medical professionals and what they are requesting isn't needed... Although anyone can develop a mental health problem, Black Americans sometimes experience more severe forms of mental health conditions due to unmet needs and other socio-economic barriers. According to the Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, Black Americans are 20% more likely to experience serious mental health problems than the general population. Black youth who are exposed to violence are at a greater risk for PTSD by over 25%....Both depression and anxiety are often misdiagnosed and mistreated in Black communities." It's time for this to change.
Source: Anxiety and Depression Association of America