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BLACK MENTAL HEALTH
Mental health has been a taboo topic within the black community for years
Mental health and illness have become increasingly relevant concerns in contemporary society. While the collective conversation around psychological health has begun, within the black community, mental health remains taboo. Mental illness is seldom seen as affecting black people. All individuals, however, are susceptible to mental illness, especially black men of African descent.
Due to this, within the black community there is high stigmatization towards mental illness (Ward et al 3) and a perceived idea that mental illnesses is a sign of weakness, particularly in men (Vinson et al 9). As a result black men are at high risk.
According to the CDC in 2019, Suicide is the third leading cause of death for African American males ages 10 to 34”
Factors
SocIETY
Role of Media
RELIGION
Family
Community
Socia-Economics
Racism
Society has a multi-faceted effect on the mental health of black men. Exploring how the society affects the mental health of black men through the lens of family, community, socioeconomic status and racism & marginalization.
In this era of global connectivity, we have instant access to an abundance of information. The research dives into the role of the media as a highly influential cultural product portrayal of black men and its effects on the mental health of black men through news & entertainment industries respectively.
Religion is a key part of many cultures. As a fundamental part of life, religion influences attitudes and shapes the experience of individuals including that of mental health. Specifically focusing on the role of christianity as 79% of Black Americans identify as christian. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 15)
Each one of these factors plays a unique role in the mental health of black men and thus can affect it positively & negatively.
Using art to break the stigma
This accompanying creative project, meanwhile, aims to address this stigma by visually representing the ways in which factors like society, religion and media affect the health of Black men and discourage them from seeking the support needed to mitigate mental ill-health. It is hoped that this imagery will raise awareness and promote productive conversations about mental illness among the black community and beyond.
