Why Black Women's Mental Health Matters

Sometimes it’s hard our here!

 

Our mental health refers to our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Mental health plays a huge role in who we are and how we show up in the world - how we show up for ourselves and others.

With all that’s going on in our lives - inside the self and around us - it’s important to prioritize caring for our mental health. Of course, it’s not always that simple. Caring for our mental can mean having to feel our feelings which isn’t always pleasant. And with all we have to do each day, who has time to sit in the feels?

Many Black women internalize the role of being a Strong Black Woman. Cheryl L. Woods Giscombé, PhD, RN, PMHNP-BC, FAA, writes in her article about how the Strong Black Woman role can adversely affect our mental and physical well-being.

Her research found that to persevere, many Black women suppress emotions, embody stress, take on roles helping others, and fight against being vulnerable or dependent.

It is apparent we need to be strong to survive-exist in a society where sociocultural injustices and inequities related to race, gender, identity, body size and shape, sexuality, class, and religion (to name some) impact our lived experiences.

 

So, with all we face each day, we must prioritize our mental health. It begins by noticing that our mental health and well-being might be declining. This decline may be noticed in the mind or body or both. Below are some things you may notice. Keep in mind these lists do not include everything.

 

Mental Signs

  • Feeling overwhelmed

  • Increased negative thinking

  • Irritability

  • Anger

  • Sadness

  • More prone to crying

  • Anxiety

  • Confusion or indecisiveness

  • Procrastination or distractibility

 
 

Physical Signs

  • Changes in sleep (increased or decreased)

  • Changes in appetite (increased or decreased)

  • Physical pain

  • Changes related to your period

  • Changes in weight (increased or decreased)

  • Headaches

  • Feeling jittery or restless

  • Being more sedentary

  • Health issues

 

Stress and mental health decline affect everyone differently and may look different at different stages of life. I notice that when stress is getting the best of me, I tend to overexert and busy myself, I get restless and anxious, and I am more irritable. When I look back at my teenage years, stress manifested as withdrawal and physical ailments.

Be gentle with yourself if you notice a decline in your mental health or overall well-being. Remember, you are doing the best you can at this moment. Give yourself credit for tuning inward and noticing what your mind and body are telling you.

Take the next step that is best for you. That could be . . .

  • taking some time off

  • resting

  • talking to a trusted family member or friend

  • asking your partner to take over some day-to-day tasks

  • carving out some self-care time

  • having a good cry

  • journaling

  • making art

You may decide you need support from a trained mental health practitioner or a medical care provider.

Seek the support you need. It’s okay to take off the Strong Black Woman hat and focus on caring for you now. Our real strength comes from knowing what we need to give ourselves, nurturing ourselves, and continuing to heal and grow. This may be one way to begin to heal generational trauma related to the role of being a Strong Black Woman.

 
 

Need Support?

If you are looking for mental health support and are interested in working with me, click here to schedule a consultation.

And because I know I am not the right fit for everyone, and there are other great practitioners out there, here are a few resources to help your search.

Therapy for Black Girls - for Black women & girls

Inclusive Therapists - centers BIPOC & 2SLGBTQA+

Open Path Collective - cost-effective therapy

 
 

If you or someone you know are experiencing an immediate life-threatening emergency, call 911.

If you or someone you know are experiencing a crisis and need support, below is a list of resources.

Blackline (for BIPOC) 1 (800) 604-5841

Crisis Text Line: Text "HOME" TO 741-741

Trans Lifeline 877-565-8860 (US) / 877-330-6366 (Canada)

Trevor Hotline (LGBTQ youth) 866-488-7386 Text "START" to 678678

The National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline Call 800.656.HOPE (4673)

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988



 

This blog post is educational and should not be used to make a diagnosis related to your mental or physical health. Please consult with a trained healthcare or mental health provider to discuss concerns you may have related to your mental and physical health.

 
Deanna Barton