A Mental Health Moment
By Bernadette Joy Graham, MA, LPCC
The Truth Contributor
There is no surprise that many Black Americans choose not to seek
mental health care. With challenges around the world people of all nations
suffer with anxiety levels as none of us know what, how or when these
challenges will turn to crises levels in our own communities.
If you are a Black American in the U.S, some mental health statistics
from 2024 breaks down serious concerns and prevalence that will be near
catastrophic in 2025 and years to come for mental health.
• 21.4 percent of Black American adult experience mental illness annually.
• 19.7 percent of Black adults have experienced a mental health condition in the
past year.
The prevalence of just the experiences with mental health and Black
communities is in the Why?
Access to Care:
• Only 25 percent of Black adults seek mental health treatment as opposed
to a significantly lower national average of 40 percent.
• Factors contributing are low access to care, including stigma, lack of
culturally competent providers, and limited health insurance. Since a new
political regime has come into office, funding has been cut in food
programs, health programs especially health insurances that have closed,
loss of employment, increased prices on everything and many more changes
devastating the lives of all Black individuals and families.
Suicide Rates amongst Black Americans have continuously been shown much
higher compared to other races:
– Black males in 2024 were 13.7 per 100,000 compared to 11.8 percent for
all males.
– Black females had a suicide rate of 5.7 percent per 100,000 compared to
4.8 percent per 100,000 for all females.
Depression and anxiety are top contenders when people in general seek
out mental health.
Approximately 10.3 percent of Black adults experienced moderate to severe
depression and depressive symptoms annually. The national average was
reported at an average of 8.9 percent.
Anxiety disorders and symptoms for Black adults annually was reported
as 18.6 percent; the national average is significantly lower at 12.5
percent.
These statistics show conditions for 2024. Everyone worldwide is in
some type of statistical category. In regard to Black Americans,
observation and overall medical conditions tell it all and it is not good
and will continue to decline if Black communities continue to refuse to
check their own mental health.
The mental health of Black children is downright always affected by
the mental health conditions of their families and caretakers. Take a
mental health moment and think about our future Black generations to come.
It is not just about Black adults. So if you do not care for mental health
or your own at least give Black children the opportunity to have healthy
outcomes especially their minds. It’s mind over matter……children matter as
they will one day be the adults making changes and choices over the world.
Having healthy minds will make the world a better place. Let’s all make
our communities GREAT once and for all.
Sources:
–
– National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
– Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
– Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
If you or someone you know is in a mental health crisis please call 988 or
go to the closest emergency room.
** Bernadette Graham is a Licensed Professional Mental Health Therapist in private practice. She also provides educational workshops on matters of grief and mental health as well as conducting groups, and speaking at events. Bernadette has been an advocate within the Mental Health field for over 20 years. You may contact her or complete an intake at the following:
+1 (786) 755-1863
intake+Bernadette25063@growtherapy.com
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/bernadette-joy-graham-toledo-oh/415500
Maumee location in office – 419 866-8232
Bancroft St. location Toledo – 419 578 2525 or 419 409 4929