July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. This is the perfect time to spotlight issues at the intersection of mental health and racism. Around the world, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) are often targets of prejudice, discrimination, and microaggressions. They can also face physical violence due to their skin color. These experiences can not only cause immediate distress but can also lead to long-term mental health issues. This blog post will take a look at the profound impact of racism on mental health and how we can work towards positive change.
The Immediate Impact of Racism
When someone encounters racism, their body’s fight-or-flight response is often triggered. Fight-or-flight is a survival mechanism that prepares individuals to react to perceived threats. It often includes symptoms like:
- Anxiety or stress
- Rapid heartbeat
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Racing thoughts
Along with physical responses, a person might also feel intense sadness, anger, and less confidence. These reactions can have a lasting impact on physical and mental health.
Long-Term Effects of Racism on Mental Health
Racism’s effects add up. They can cause many mental health issues, such as:
- Experiencing racism heightens the body’s stress response. This weakens its ability to handle daily stress and can lead to health problems.
- Racism has been shown to be strongly linked to the development of depression and anxiety.
- Many who face racism have PTSD symptoms. This happens especially after seeing or being part of racist violence.
The repercussions of experiencing racism often expand beyond mental health. They cause issues such as:
- Hypertension and Cardiovascular Problems: All chronic stress can lead to high blood pressure and other heart-related issues, including stress from racism.
- Struggles with School or Work: Racism can negatively impact focus, drive, and performance.
- Relationship Difficulties: Racism can strain personal relationships, sometimes leading to isolation and social withdrawal.
The Ripple Effect of Racism
Racism doesn’t only affect those directly impacted. Research shows that simply being part of a marginalized group can be a significant source of stress. Seeing oppression or violence toward your community can cause trauma and PTSD-like symptoms, even if they are not personally experienced. This often happens after instances of racist violence become national news.
Any form of victimization can cause economic and emotional harm that can be passed down through generations. Historical traumas, like slavery, segregation, and racist attacks, can still affect the descendants of those who endured them many years after. On January 5, 1923, the prosperous African-American town of Rosewood, Florida, was burned and destroyed by a racially motivated mob, resulting in the deaths of 30 black men, women, and children. Survivors reported having to flee in the middle of the night through a cold swamp to get to safety. These survivors lost their homes, possessions, and community, and many had life-long PTSD reactions. Their descendants reported the survivors as having significant negative impacts on their work and family life, often shaping the descendants’ own lives well after 1923.
How Do We Create Change?
Meaningful change requires a collective effort. We must all be part of the solution to address such a detrimental issue as racism. Here are some steps we can take:
Educate Yourself
Understanding the history and impact of racism is crucial. Countless books, websites, and training programs can help. Learning from the mistakes of the past can help our community avoid those mistakes in the future.
Speak Up Against Racism
When you witness acts of racism or discrimination in your everyday life, speak up. Call out inappropriate behavior and engage in meaningful conversations about the impact of words and actions. Kindness can make a difference and help each other work toward a more gracious, respectful community. The State of Florida recognized the impact of the Rosewood massacre, passing a law in 1994 acknowledging the event, providing a settlement for loss of property, and providing college tuition for descendants of survivors. In the 30 years since the law’s passing, over 300 survivor descendants have been provided a college education. This acknowledgment and positive action can often help heal the wounds created by violence.
Support Mental Health for All
Support initiatives and policies that increase marginalized communities’ access to mental health services. Support organizations that work towards mental health equity and advocate for systemic changes that address the root causes of mental health disparities. Treatments are available to help with mental health issues and allow those who are impacted to lead happier and healthier lives. However, treatment can be out of reach for many in our community, particularly those in marginalized groups. Your support for mental health can move the needle for overall health for everyone.
Conclusion
Racism and mental health are closely linked. Both issues can harm people and communities in many ways. National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing these issues head-on. By educating ourselves and taking proactive steps, we can work towards a brighter future for all of us.