10 Ways to Support Black Women With Depression, and Why It Can Be Harder to Detect
Key takeaways:
Standard depression screening tools may be less effective for Black women. They may not account for the different ways Black women experience their mental health battles.
Black women also have specific challenges in getting the mental healthcare they may need.
The unique experiences of Black women impact how depression looks and is detected in this group.
Table of contents
Mental well-being is important and influences every part of life. Yet not everyone can access proper mental healthcare in the same way. There are many gaps in mental healthcare among racial and ethnic groups. And these gaps can lead to challenges for Black women facing depression.
Black women have unique obstacles when trying to find mental health support. For example, screening tools aren’t as effective for them. Also, there is still a stigma around mental health in the Black community. Raising awareness of these barriers can help improve the diagnosis and treatment of depression in Black women. It can also help make you a better ally to a Black woman in need of support.
How common is depression in Black women?
About 5% of Black women have serious psychological distress. These rates are about the same for white women. However, Black women are less likely to seek help for depression. Also, they do not receive adequate care. As a result, depression in Black women is likely underreported.
The reason why Black women may not seek care for depression is likely a combination of cultural, social, and systemic factors. Cultural expectations in Black communities can often discourage people from having open discussions about their mental health. And a history of Black people being mistreated within the healthcare system has led to mistrust. This can make it hard for some Black women to engage with mental health services.
What are the unique challenges Black women face with depression?
Gaining insight into depression and Black women requires a deep look at their different sources of stress. Several key factors that may contribute to depression in Black women include:
Racial discrimination: Racial discrimination and subtle forms of bias can cause ongoing stress. This may increase the risk of depression.
Historical trauma: Generational trauma from slavery and systemic, or institutional, racism can play a role in mental health challenges.
Double minority status: Having to navigate both racial and gender discrimination can cause stress.
Cultural stigma: The stigma around mental health in the Black community can keep women from seeking help. It can be viewed as a sign of weakness to admit mental health challenges. And, in turn, it can be frowned upon by some.
Lack of access to culturally competent care: Most mental health providers don’t take into account the specific experiences of Black women. This can make it hard for them to get a correct diagnosis.
Role strain: Juggling multiple roles and responsibilities within the household, workplace, and community can lead to emotional strain and depression.
Lack of belonging: Living as a minority in society can lead to feelings of invisibility and exclusion.
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What are the best screening tools to diagnose depression in Black women?
There are several tools used to screen for depression, but they may not be accurate for diagnosing depression in Black women. Research shows that standard screening tools may not pick up depression in Black women because the symptoms may look different.
Most depression screening tools look for classic symptoms like hopelessness, worthlessness, and sadness. But depression in some Black women may look different. In Black women, depression may have more physical symptoms like:
Fatigue
Trouble sleeping
Decreased sex drive
Irritability
Black women may also tend to heavily criticize or blame themselves as symptoms of their depression.
Other factors that can impact how well these tools detect depression in Black women include:
Cultural language differences: Differences in how Black women describe their symptoms can impact how depression symptoms are reported. It can also lead to people not being diagnosed.
Inherent bias: Screening tools don’t often account for the experiences and perspectives of Black women when calculating the risk of depression. This can make the tests less able to determine if someone has depression.
Lack of research: Black women are often excluded from mental health research. This limits how well these depression screening tools work for Black women.
These issues highlight the importance of culturally sensitive screening methods for Black women. There are no depression screening tools specific to Black women. But raising awareness of how their symptoms may differ can help more people recognize the signs.
Encouraging Black women to seek help for depression
With so many factors and distinct barriers, it’s no wonder Black women need a little more encouragement to seek help for depression.
Here are 10 ways to help support Black women with depression.
1. Have open conversations
Create a safe space for open, honest conversations about mental health. This can go a long way in supporting someone you care about. Let them know that you are there to listen whenever they are ready to talk. Then, when listening, avoid passing judgment. Remember that you are there to support this person.
2. Normalize seeking help
Sharing stories of others who have sought help for mental health challenges is a great way to show support. This helps to emphasize that seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness. This can go a long way toward combating the stigma associated with getting help.
3. Be an ally
Offer to look for mental health providers who have experience working with Black women. Finding the right therapist can make the journey with depression easier to navigate.
4. Accompany them to appointments
Offer to go with them to appointments or help them find mental health resources. Your presence can provide comfort and encouragement. Having a support system will let them know they are not alone in their fight for mental wellness.
5. Validate their feelings
Acknowledge their feelings and experiences. Let them know that their emotions are valid and that seeking help is a positive step toward healing. This will help to normalize seeking treatment.
6. Provide information
Share educational resources, articles, or books that focus on mental health in the Black community. Knowledge can empower them to make informed decisions. And it can help them to recognize the signs they need to seek care.
7. Offer practical support
You can always help with everyday tasks if needed, like arranging transportation or childcare. This helps to get rid of potential barriers to seeking help. Sometimes it’s the little things that can have the biggest impact in a time of need.
8. Respect their pace
Be patient and respectful of their timing. Encourage them to take things at their own pace. You can continue to remind them that you’re there to support them whenever they are ready.
9. Check in regularly
Keep in touch and check in on their well-being. Let them know that you genuinely care and are available to offer support whenever they need it. Sometimes, it’s hard for someone to reach out if they’re in a tough spot mentally. Checking in on them will help make sure the two of you stay connected.
10. Don’t pass judgment
Avoid making assumptions or giving advice they didn’t ask for. Listen actively and offer empathy without trying to “fix" their situation. Your willingness to listen, understand, and be there offers reassurance and encouragement. By standing by their side, you are showing them that they are valued and never alone on their path toward mental wellness.
Mental health resources for Black women
Advocating for the mental well-being of Black women is a mission championed by many organizations. These groups play a vital part in increasing awareness and breaking down stigmas around depression and Black women.
Helpful resources include:
Black Girls Smile: This organization offers mental wellness education, resources, and support. It is both culturally affirming and tailored to the specific needs of Black women and girls.
The Loveland Foundation: This foundation provides opportunities and healing to communities of color. It has a particular focus on Black women and girls and aims to bridge the financial gap in mental healthcare.
Joyfully Black: This podcast is dedicated to Black women, with the aim to prioritize self-care.
Black Girl In Om: This media and event-organizing company focuses on well-being for Black women, with retreats, free meditations, and a podcast.
Therapy for Black Girls: This online platform promotes the mental well-being of Black women and girls.
The bottom line
Black women have unique challenges with mental healthcare. Screening tools can be less effective in detecting depression symptoms in Black women. Offering support can help Black women better navigate their mental wellness journey. If you’re concerned about your mental health, don’t be afraid to let your provider know.
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References
Fernando, S. (1984). Racism as a cause of depression. The International Journal of Social Psychiatry.
Hankerson, S. H., et al. (2022). The intergenerational impact of structural racism and cumulative trauma on depression. The American Journal of Psychiatry.
Nelson, T., et al. (2020). Do I really need to go and see somebody? Black women’s perceptions of help-seeking for depression. Journal of Black Psychology.
Spates, K. (2012). “The missing link”: The exclusion of Black women in psychological research and the implications for Black women’s mental health. Sage Open.
Steger, M. F., et al. (2009). Depression and everyday social activity, belonging, and well-being. Journal of Counseling Psychology.
Stewart, B., et al. (1992). Role strain and depression in employed married Black mothers. The Association of Black Nursing Faculty Journal.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2001). Mental health: Culture, race, and ethnicity: A supplement to mental health: A report of the surgeon general. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health. (2023). Mental and behavioral health – African Americans.
Ward, E., et al. (2013). African American men and women’s attitude toward mental illness, perceptions of stigma, and preferred coping behaviors. Nursing Research.
Ward, E. C., et al. (2009). African American women’s beliefs, coping behaviors, and barriers to seeking mental health services. Qualitative Health Research.
