Lack of Therapist
Based on a report by Dr. Francesca K. Owoo, LCPC, LMHC, a licensed therapist specializing in mental health issues for the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) community, mental health plays a critical role in achieving a fulfilling life. She highlights that good mental health significantly enhances overall life satisfaction and quality of life.
Dr. Owoo stresses the importance of prioritizing mental well-being to ensure stability and wellness for everyone. However, she notes that in BIPOC communities, particularly within Black communities in the United States, factors such as racism, oppression, and trauma can severely impact mental well-being, leading to significant disparities in mental illness rates.
Dr. Owoo explains that mental illness is a widespread issue in the African American community, resulting in numerous negative social and economic consequences. She identifies several factors contributing to mental health disparities among African Americans, including:
- Distrust of the medical system
- Institutionalized racism and oppression
- Trauma from racism and violence
- Healthcare inequities
- Limited access to quality mental health care
- Cultural competency gaps among providers
- A shortage of diverse mental health professionals
- The stigma associated with seeking help within the Black community
While these factors exacerbate mental health challenges for the Black community, Dr. Owoo clarifies that Black individuals experience mental health conditions at similar rates to other racial groups. However, they often face greater difficulties in accessing the necessary resources for treatment.
Data from the American Psychological Association (APA) in 2021 showed that only 5.08% of the psychology workforce was Black — as opposed to 80.85% being white.
According to Dr. Owoo, this disparity in the workforce is likely due to the same factors that prevent Black community members from accessing mental health care.
“With mental illness having a profound impact on the Black community, yet lacking access to therapists that understand their culture, history, and experiences, it’s important to break down the stigma surrounding mental health and increase the visibility of Black professionals in the field,” says Owoo.
“By having more Black therapists available, clients are empowered to open up about their concerns in an environment that feels safe and familiar,” she adds.
“In order to provide culturally competent care, measures must be taken to address racism and discrimination within academia, as well as increased outreach to the field so that more African Americans are exposed and able to choose a career in therapy,” she continues.
In addition to this, the high costs of attaining a graduate degree can leave students burdened with massive amounts of debt. The process of getting licensed to practice therapy also takes an extended period of time and may require you to work an unpaid internship.
This prevents many people from pursuing therapeutic professions and for those that do, it can limit their choices of employment afterward because they’ll need to pay off student loans.
Source: Why It’s Time to Shift the Focus to Mental Health in the Black Community, February 17, 2023 – HEALTHLINE,
https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/mental-health-in-the-black-community