Breaking the Silence: Mental Health in Black & Brown Communities

Black and Brown communities are full of strength, creativity, and pride. For generations, people have found ways to push forward, take care of family, and build community even in the face of challenges. But being strong doesn’t mean you have to carry everything alone.

For many of us, mental health wasn’t something we grew up talking about. Maybe you’ve heard things like “pray about it,” “keep that in the family,” or “just be strong.” While faith and family can be powerful sources of support, sometimes those messages make it harder to speak up when we’re hurting. Taking care of your mental health isn’t a weakness but rather an act of love for yourself.

Why These Conversations Matter

Stress, anxiety, grief, and the feeling that you always have to hold it all together. These are legit struggles! And when you don’t have a space to process what’s going on, feelings can pile up and spill over into relationships, work, or school. Talking about our mental health opens the door to healing—not just for yourself, but for future generations too.

Challenges We Face

• Mistrust of Medical Systems – From Tuskegee Airmen, Henrietta Lacks, and sterilizations, Black and Brown communities have good reason to be cautious when dealing with healthcare professionals.

• Systemic Racism – Over-policing and institutionalization throughout Black and Brown history causes fear in being able to disclose and figure out who we can trust. To this day, many systems are still connected with mental health, including mandated reporting. Although I believe that mandated reporting can be super beneficial to many who may be being abused and need help, these situations are also sometimes misunderstood and abused by those in power.

• Stigma – In some families, therapy feels like a taboo topic. Nobody wants to be labeled as “crazy” and admitting that you may want more support hasn’t been viewed as enough of a reason to speak to a therapist. The idea of “airing out your dirty laundry” also intimidates people into thinking they’re doing something wrong by finding help and makes them struggle alone.

• Pressure to Stay Strong – Many of us were taught not to let our guard down. Strength is important, but it shouldn’t mean going through life without support.

• Representation in Therapy – It can be tough to find a therapist who understands cultural background, racial trauma, or family dynamics. Spending the whole session explaining just to feel understood doesn’t sound like the most comfortable environment.

  
  

The Power of Culturally Responsive Therapy

Healing feels different when you’re with someone who understands where you’re coming from. Culturally aware care creates space to:

• Honor what you and your culture value such as family, spirituality, traditions, and connection.

• Talk openly about how racism, colorism, microaggressions, discrimination, or immigration stressors affect daily life.

• Brainstorm tools that appropriately fit your experiences, not just generic advice.

• Support generational change and healing.

Representation matters because being seen and understood is part of the healing process.

Simple Ways to Care for Your Mental Health

You don’t need a big plan to start taking care of yourself. Small steps can go a long way:

• Journaling – Write about a time you felt pressured to “be strong.” What did you actually need in that moment?

• Neutral Affirmations – Try grounding statements like, “I’m doing the best I can right now” or “It’s okay to need help.”

• Community – Surround yourself with people or spaces where you feel safe and supported. Sometimes being heard is the first step toward healing.

  
  

Final Thoughts

Mental health care is about more than just getting by but about creating a life that feels good to live. Giving therapy a try doesn’t mean you’re turning your back on your culture or your family. It means you’re making space for yourself, so you can feel whole and present in your life.

If therapy has been on your mind, you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. Support is out there, and you deserve it.

If you’re in California or Texas, I’d love to help! I focus on helping Black and Brown people improve their relationships with others and themselves. Hit me up for a consultation.