Diminished access to mental health care is one of the many ways systemic racism has affected the Black community — but things are starting to change. “Mental illness is a pervasive issue in the African American community, with many negative social and economic impacts,” explains Owoo. She states that factors driving mental health disparities among African Americans include:

• distrust of the medical system
• institutionalized racism and oppression
• trauma caused by racism and violence
• healthcare inequities
• lack of access to quality mental health care
• cultural competency gaps among providers
• the lack of diverse mental health professionals
• the common stigma of seeking help within the Black community

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