Mental Health Among Black Men: Barriers to Care and 6 Ways to Find Support

There are many complex reasons for these disparities, with racism being just one. Because of this, there are factors unique to Black men that can serve as barriers to receiving mental health care.

Black men face unique barriers when it comes to seeking and receiving mental health care. Here are some of them.

Cultural Stigma

When it comes to mental health stigma in the Black community, many community members tend to adhere to an unhealthy definition of strength, particularly when it comes to Black men, says Derrick Gordon, PhD, a psychologist and an associate professor of psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut.

“As folks of color, we're supposed to be able to kind of endure independently. We're supposed to have the capacity to kind of manage this on our own,” Dr. Gordon says.

“Black men are taught inherently to be strong and stoic, and there's this idea of like John Henry–ism – this inherent need, or at least socialization, of Black men, to be strong and to outperform everyone and everything,” says Omotola K. Ajibade, MD, MPH, a psychiatrist and the founder of Ajibade Consulting Group in Atlanta.

“That's really in order to not be perceived as weak,” says Dr. Ajibade. “Black men tried to hide their vulnerabilities, even from those who love them and would want to help nurture and heal some of those vulnerabilities.”

“One of the biggest barriers that we encounter sometimes has to do with folks’ belief that, ‘if I have these mental health challenges, I don't believe in my faith tradition as strongly as I should.’” Gordon says. He tries to reframe this conversation with clients so they can understand that it’s possible to rely on both psychotherapy and faith. “Those two things are not in opposition to one another,” says Gordon.

Medical Mistrust

“There are generations of things that have happened to Black people before and since, that all contribute to the nature of mistrust. Especially when you think about mental health, you also have to think about the fact that mental health issues are not divorced from the societies that birthed them.”

Because of factors like this, it’s important for providers to make a hesitant patient comfortable once they arrive for care. “Once you get them through the door, they recognize that they can share themselves with you and you don't judge them, and that this can be reparative and helpful to them — it creates a safe space,” Gordon says.

Ajibade agrees. “I go to work every day knowing that I participate in a system that has contributed to numerous harms against people that look like me,” he says. “But, I also know that we have the capacity to act differently and to use those very same tools to help heal people rather than harm them.”

Lack of Representation

These numbers, in conjunction with some prevailing negative ideas about mental health, can contribute to the overall lack of investment or accessibility to mental wellness for Black men. “A lot of folks think that mental health is a ‘white people thing,’ but it’s a fundamental part of the human experience,” Ajibade says.

Part of Ajibade’s work includes supporting clients within the correctional system. He shared an encounter with a patient's family member that recognized his last name as Nigerian and asked for his help.

“The mere fact that he recognized my name as a Nigerian and we sort of speak the same language lifted a huge weight off of his and his family shoulders — he knew that someone was going to see about his loved one. That's something that no textbook is going to teach you,” he says.

“Representation really matters, especially if we're trying to increase access to these kinds of supports and services,” Gordon says.

“I have worked with men of color across the diasporas, and we have to be thinking about the way representation shows up, and how it can be so powerful to have them hear their own stories, to tell their stories,” Gordon says.

Insurance Barriers

With the exception of peer-run spaces, mental health support often doesn’t come cheap. Instead of solely focusing on professional licensure, peer support groups are led by individuals who have lived experience.

Even for those with healthcare coverage, accessibility issues arise, especially if you’re interested in connecting with a provider that shares your cultural background or identity. Not every practitioner is paneled with every health insurance carrier. This means that if you’re going through your health insurance, you are picking from a smaller pool of people, rather than any professional within your state.

And, some experts don’t take insurance at all. There’s an understanding that this can make it hard on clients, but the reality is that getting paneled with insurance carriers can serve as a barrier for practitioners as well. “Some people don't take insurance because there's so many hoops to jump through,” Gordon says.

• Difficulty falling or staying asleep
• Noticeable changes in appetite that have led to unintentional weight changes
• Trouble concentrating or staying on task
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you generally find joy in
• Inability to carry out your normal daily responsibilities
• Thoughts of self-harm or wanting to die

If you think you need mental health support, you have options. You can start by reaching out to trusted people in your life for moral support, and considering what sort of support may suit your needs best.

1. Talk to Others About What You’re Going Through

Because stigma is a major inhibitor to mental health support, especially within communities of color, choosing to share both your mental health struggles and triumphs is paramount to healing. Opening up about your struggles to a friend with similar experiences could lead you to some positive solutions.

Gordon shared how a Black male patient of his gave Gordon’s number to a friend. This is a real-life example of how preexisting trust between two friends led to a sharing of mental health resources.

“It was breaking down the stereotype and the barriers that are there. It kind of gives them space to kind of see, ‘I can get support.’ And then they begin to whisper to those around them, ‘This is an option. I didn’t think it would work, but it’s not that bad.’” Gordon says.

2. Involve Your Loved Ones

If you’re embarking on a mental health journey, don’t keep it to yourself. Not only does sharing your goals with your family and friends help to reduce stigma surrounding mental health, but it gives you an automatic support system. When it comes to families, Gordon says that the partners and communities connected to the Black men receiving mental health support are also ultimately impacted in a positive way.

“When you talk about what healthy looks like, this cuts across our community. It has to be woven into the fabric of our community such that we are all healthy and whole. It has ripple effects,” he says.

3. Try to Find a Provider Who Shares Your Identity

While it’s true that there’s a significant disparity when it comes to Black male therapists, that doesn’t mean you should give up finding someone who you can connect with. They’re out there and interested in providing safe support for people within their communities.

“As Black mental health professionals, one of the most important things that we do is that simply by existing in that space, we can at least offer a layer of trust in a system that hasn't given much latitude for trust, we can offer safety to the best of our abilities, and we can offer understanding,” Ajibade says.

In addition to offering in-person mental wellness events on the West Coast, organizations like the Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective (BEAM) offers a resource directory that can help you find a Black wellness practitioner in your state. BEAM is a nonprofit that focuses on supporting the mental health and wellness of Black communities, which includes holding programming, distributing grants, and uplifting Black health practitioners.

Other mental health-focused sites like OpenPath or Psychology Today also allow you to search for therapists based on race, gender identity, or both.

4. Remember Your Agency Within Your Care

When it comes to making choices about your wellness, your role doesn’t end with choosing a provider. Even if you’re someone who is new to therapy, you are encouraged to ask questions and speak up if something doesn’t feel right.

“I want folks to recognize that when you've seen a therapist, you have to have some agency for you,” Gordon says.

He reminds us that the relationship between a provider and their client is a critical part of the healing process. “Because you came to me one, maybe two sessions, does not mean that you're committed to me long term,” Gordon says. “I might not be the one that works for you. You can say no to me, but you can then interview other people to see who or what might be best, from your perspective.”

The importance of your agency within your care doesn’t just apply to who you’re seeing, but what sort of mental health support you engage in. There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to what may work, so consider looking into options like gender-inclusive peer support sessions, online support groups, meditation and mindfulness apps, like Calm or Headway, or somatic interventions.

If you are interested in a more traditional talk therapy approach, there are several options for you. Many providers now offer virtual sessions, which can help mitigate transportation barriers. You can also connect with a mental health professional through apps or digital-first platforms, like TalkSpace or Grow Therapy.

You may have to try a couple of providers or modalities before you find what works for you. Don’t get discouraged if this is the case. Your mental wellness is worth investing time in.

5. Assess Your Holistic Health

Many mental health experts will tell you that your health is holistic. This means that your mental, physical, and emotional health are all connected, and oftentimes addressing one will impact another.

The impact of sleep on our bodies is well-documented, and Ajibade emphasizes the importance of sleep for our mental health as well. “I tell everybody: Sleep is the cheapest mental health intervention you'll ever have,” he says. “When you read the DSM, a lot of the most common mental health diagnoses include sleep disturbances in the diagnostic criteria.”

“If you can do nothing else for yourself, try to get at least some measure of rest as often as is necessary for you to feel restored,” Ajibade says.

6. Consider How External Factors Affect Your Mental Health

It’s also important to keep in mind how societal factors can contribute to worsening mental health, says Ajibade. He encourages people within the Black community to support themselves and others through addressing some of those larger, connected issues.

“There is no recommended dose of Zoloft that will change the fact that the source of your anxiety or your depression is really due to societal factors,” he says. “I always encourage people to think about what issues they are facing and what issues their communities are facing.”

“Policy goals and objectives, community building, community organizing will go the distance. That’s not to say that therapy and medication aren’t important, but don’t neglect the larger picture,” Ajibade says.

• Cultural stigma can shame Black men into a need to always be strong, which can lead to emotional and mental health neglect.
• Medical mistrust of mental health and healthcare professionals has a long-standing history within the U.S. medical system, and this contributes to negative experiences and mental health outcomes for many Black men.
• Lack of representation of Black professionals in the mental health field and higher uninsured rates serve as barriers to Black men receiving adequate mental health treatment.
• Speaking with friends and loved ones can reduce mental health stigma.
• You have agency in your mental health care, and it’s okay to look at less traditional options for additional support.