Black history + mental health
February is Black History Month.
First known as “Negro History Week”, this honorary week was started by Carter Woodson in 1926 who believed "the achievements of the Negro properly set forth will crown him as a factor in early human progress and a maker of modern civilization." In 1976, Negro History Week expanded into Black History Month (CNN).
Fast forward to today. Right now in the US, we are suffering from three separate pandemics: COVID-19, racism, and a rapid increase in mental illness (Hill, Ck Your Privilege). While these three pandemics are inherently separate, they are all but disconnected. We know that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated already stark disparities in Black communities, like greater unemployment cases and overrepresentation in frontline jobs, creating heightened risk of infection for Black and Latinx populations (Politico). We also know the pandemic has illuminated how severely underprepared we are as a nation to handle the mental health issues so many are facing, from lack of financial resources to a shortage of therapists trained in emotional trauma. (Washington Post).
So how can you show up for Black History this month and every month?
Learn about the impact of mental illness on Black communities and understand the historical underpinnings of racism in our healthcare systems, specifically from the governing body of psychiatry in the United States. The founders of the APA began segregating treatment of mental illness according to race. Mental health is critical to everything people strive to do - holding a job, building a career, raising a family and children, contributing to the community - and from the start of this nation, psychiatry has had a role in limiting the ability of people of color to achieve those things. Are you educated on the ways our healthcare system has contributed to inequities in mental health for Black people and people of color?
Be willing to disrupt yourself first. We cannot disrupt oppressive systems if we cannot disrupt ourselves. We are all living in a society that is damaging because it promotes white supremacy thinking-so it is not surprising that we will consciously and subconsciously demonstrate characteristics of white supremacy culture. How are you examining your own biases? What are you not seeing? How are you keeping other perspectives/experiences in your purview
Examine the diversity, equity, and mental health commitment and initiatives at your place of work and organizations you are affiliated with. Push leaders to clearly define anti-racist ideas and policies and notice if the language in the policies is reflective of the commitment. Does your organization have an equity mission/vision? Who was responsible for creating it? Is it reflective of a diverse group of experiences?
Explore Black and Brown organizations local to your community and organizations committed to mental health. National support is important, but also consider how you could become involved with grassroots organizations on the ground closest to you. Consider volunteering your time, donating needed resources, or setting up monthly donations to support financially. Which organizations can you support within your community?
And before you go,
Here are some other ways to support the Black community.
Daily Black Lives Matter events & activities calendar for February
Support Black Businesses in Indy