There are several mental health disparities and challenges that exist for African Americans. Populating, 13.4% (approximately 46 million people) of the United States, 16% of African Americans reported having a mental illness in the past year. That is over 7 million people which is more than the population of Chicago, Houston, and Philadelphia combined.

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To make a difference in the unique mental health state of African Americans, we must understand the historical dehumanization, oppression, and violence that has been committed against us for hundreds of years. We have to process layers of individual trauma in addition to the most recent traumas that stemmed from police brutality and health care inequities in the light of COVID-19. Over and over again, we watch stressful images and learn disturbing truths on the news. It takes a toll on our overall health. Black and African American people are more likely to experience chronic and persistent, rather than episodic, mental health conditions.  

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Another challenge that African Americans face is shame due to the attachment of unwanted identities.

Research shows that shame acts as an endless cycle of psychological injury. This shame is a result of

slavery and racism which includes the shame of being shamed. Experiences of racism, saturated

within the American social construct, become 

components of our identity. Therefore, shame is

internalized, becomes a part of our identity, and

provokes shame responses that are dominant and

common. Without even being aware of it, we may

hold a fixed mindset which causes us to:

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* be very sensitive to criticism and feedback

* seek approval for our actions

* feel threatened by the success of others

* find failure as proving our limitations

* give up easily

 

Many times we feel isolated in the struggles that we

face internally and externally because of this

generational trauma. We may think that we need to

prove ourselves constantly, resulting in masking the pain and hurt that we may be experiencing deep inside. It's time to let go and process the feelings that you may have been burying for years, even though you feel them peek out from hiding daily. Integrate with us as we build our community from the inside out.