February is Black History Month, a time to remember and recognize important people and events in Black history, as well as to educate the public, combat racism, and call attention to overlooked Black achievements. At Georgia Family Crisis Solutions, we would like to take this opportunity to highlight mental health in the Black community.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, in 2024, African American adults were 11% less likely than U.S. adults overall to report having a mental illness in the past year. In that same 2024 study, they found that African American adults were 36% less likely than U.S. adults overall to have received mental health treatment in the past year. This disparity can be attributed to the following (among other reasons):
- Reliance on Alternative Support Systems – The Black community often relies on family, community, and spiritual support rather than seeking psychiatric treatment for mental health challenges. While these support systems are important, they can keep people from getting the professional counseling they need.
- Cultural Distrust – Early models of mental health care were established by white men to treat white people. In addition, research studies are less likely to include members of the Black population compared to other groups. Understandably, many Black people do not trust systems that were not built for them.
- Socioeconomic Barriers – Many African Americans do not seek counseling because there is a lack of access. About 10% of Black people in the U.S. do not have health insurance, and those who do receive mental health care are more likely to do so through an emergency department.
- Stigma – Mental health stigma is a problem generally. For African Americans specifically, this stigma often has to do with the narrative of Black people having to be strong in the face of the adversity they have overcome historically and the systemic racism they still deal with today. Mental health challenges may be seen as weakness by some.
There are many understandable reasons why some Black Americans may not seek counseling, and there is always much more work to be done by mental health professionals to learn and provide culturally competent care.
Seeking counseling is an act of self-respect and empowerment. Our clinic is dedicated to making therapy accessible for African Americans through insurance-friendly services, income-based sliding scales, and free counseling for those who qualify – because everyone deserves support. If you would like to seek counseling, book an appointment today to see if our therapists are right for you.