My SAP, Weary, The Mental Health of a Black Woman; Walking in faith without looking at where you’re going, was created to showcase the daily struggles Black women face mentally. I have used scholarly articles focusing on the issue beyond personal experiences from my close ones and me. Multiple studies focus on the effect racism has on Black women and how the quality of care is different because of race. I hypothesized that Black women are more likely to be misdiagnosed within the mental healthcare system because of the stigma surrounding how mental illnesses look on Black women. As a result, Black women are less likely to seek treatment, identify their struggles, and receive treatment than their White counterparts. This issue has strained the Black community’s overall mental wellness, especially for Black women. Most of the research I used supported my hypothesis. I have concluded that the difference in how many Black women have a mental illness is a topic of concern, not to mention the weathering hypothesis. Nevertheless, the majority of problems lie within the fact that Black women are still most likely to be undiagnosed, misdiagnosed, and untreated. Which then leads to a disparity in mental healthcare.
My website, Weary, showcases information on Black women’s mental health disparities while inviting others to express themselves creatively. Additionally, the website features a photoshoot symbolizing some of the emotions Black women face amidst mental health issues. I hope my website will allow my community, Black women, to feel comfortable discussing some of the feelings that happen when struggling with mental health. As I present my community with resources and research, I hope this will be a stepping stone for many Black women to find the proper mental healthcare they need.
