The Stigma of Mental Health in the Black Community

Breaking the silence: One real conversation at a time

Let’s be honest, mental health still isn’t the easiest topic to bring up in many Black families. For generations, we’ve been taught to “be strong,” “shake it off,” and “just pray about it. "Strength has always been our superpower, and it is what’s carried our community through struggle and success.

But behind that resilience, many people quietly battle stress, anxiety, and depression — often without the language or safe space to express it. And that’s where the real challenge lies: mental health stigmas that make silence feel safer than speaking up.

Why don’t we talk about it more?

Faith has always been a foundation in the Black community; it’s where we find strength, hope, and belonging. But sometimes, our deep spirituality can blur the line between faith and healing. We often hear, “You don’t need therapy, just pray.”

While prayer is powerful, it doesn’t have to be our only tool. You can absolutely have faith and therapy as both can work together to support emotional well-being.

Another challenge is access. Many mental health services aren’t designed with cultural understanding in mind. According to the Mental Health Foundation (2023), Black people in the UK are more likely to experience common mental health problems but less likely to receive treatment. It’s not a lack of care — it’s a lack of culturally responsive systems.

The cultural impacts on mental health

Our culture shapes how we think, speak, and feel about mental health. For older generations, silence was a matter of survival. Many lived through migration, racism, and social barriers that demanded toughness. Emotions were often suppressed to get through the day.

These survival habits were passed down, creating a legacy of quiet endurance rather than emotional openness. Younger generations may now find it difficult to share how they feel without worrying about judgement.

And then there’s the stigma — the fear of being labelled “crazy” or seen as weak. These mental health stigmas can stop people from seeking help when they need it most. Sadly, Black individuals are still over three times more likely to be detained under the Mental Health Act than White individuals (Care Quality Commission, 2024), showing how inequality continues to shape our experiences with care.

How do we begin to change the narrative?

It all starts with honest, judgement-free conversations. Talking about our emotions, even in small ways, helps normalise the topic. When we share our stories, we remind others that they’re not alone.

Faith leaders, teachers, and community groups can help by creating safe spaces to discuss mental health in the Black community without shame or fear. And finding culturally competent therapists, professionals who understand our backgrounds and lived experiences, can make all the difference. When help feels relatable, more people are willing to reach out.

Thriving, not just surviving

Breaking mental health stigmas takes time, compassion, and courage. It begins with one conversation, one act of listening, one moment of empathy.

Our community has always been rooted in strength; now it’s time to redefine that strength. True resilience isn’t about bottling up pain; it’s about finding healing, connection, and joy. Together, we can move from simply surviving to truly thriving — in body, mind, and spirit.

Do you want to know more about this topic? Attend our programmes at MyChild&Me.