Breaking the Silence: Mental Health and the Power of Being Seen in Black Communities

How many times have we said “I’m good” when we were anything but? At church, in group texts, over FaceTime, we have become fluent in holding it together, even when things are falling apart inside. We have mastered the art of surviving. But surviving is not the same as healing.

Mental health conversations are becoming more common, but for many Black individuals and families, opening up still feels like unfamiliar territory. Historically, Black communities have endured systemic racism, economic hardship, and violence that required strength just to get through each day. Mental health care was often inaccessible, unaffordable, or delivered by providers who did not understand our lived experiences. So we leaned on prayer, family, music, and resilience. Over time, silence became our shield. Not because we did not care, but because we had to keep going.

That silence is not just personal. It is cultural and generational. Breaking it is not as simple as starting a conversation. It means unlearning ideas that told us therapy is weakness and confronting messages that made strength the only acceptable option. If this sounds familiar, know that you are not alone. Many of us carry pain in silence not because we want to, but because we were trying to protect ourselves. That silence is not your fault. It is a response to real harm. But healing asks us to want more, for ourselves, our families, and our communities.

The need for mental health support is clear. According to the American Psychiatric Association reports that only one in three Black adults who need mental health care actually receive it. The Office of Minority Health reports that Black adults are more likely than white adults to experience feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and worthlessness, yet are less likely to receive treatment. But what causes these barriers to care for the Black community?

Internalized stigma, mistrust of healthcare systems, and a lack of culturally responsive providers all contribute to the gap. 

Internalized stigma

Many of us were raised to believe that seeking therapy is a sign of weakness, or that we should "pray it away," "push through," or "handle it on our own." These messages may have been passed down out of love and survival, but they often result in deep shame around asking for help. This is known as internalized stigma—the process by which people absorb negative cultural beliefs about mental illness and apply them to themselves.

Studies consistently show that stigma remains one of the strongest barriers to treatment in Black communities. According to NAMI, internalized stigma significantly lowers the likelihood that Black people will engage with mental health services, even when they recognize the need for support. This stigma can lead to denial, avoidance, or fear of being judged by others for seeking care.

Lack of culturally competent providers

Therapy only works when it feels safe. But for Black people, it can be difficult to find a provider who understands the cultural, spiritual, and historical context that shapes our experiences. When a therapist lacks cultural competence, it can lead to minimization, microaggressions, or even misdiagnosis.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, only about two percent of psychiatrists in the United States are Black, despite Black people making up over thirteen percent of the population. This racial mismatch, combined with limited training on racial trauma and cultural humility, means many providers are not equipped to support Black clients effectively.

Black people often feel like they have to "teach" their therapist about their culture or leave parts of themselves outside the session in order to be accepted. That is not therapy—it is another form of emotional labor.

Mistrust of the healthcare system

Trust is the foundation of care. But for Black communities, that trust has been repeatedly broken. From the Tuskegee Study to ongoing disparities in pain management, maternal care, and medical outcomes, the healthcare system has not always acted in our best interest. This long history has fostered a deep and understandable mistrust of medical and mental health institutions.

This mistrust is not just historical. It is present. A 2020 study published in  American Journal of Public Health found that Black adults in the United States are significantly less likely to trust physicians compared to white adults, and that this lack of trust correlates with reduced utilization of healthcare services, including mental health care. The study also highlights that personal and vicarious experiences of discrimination in healthcare contribute to this mistrust, reinforcing avoidance even when help is needed.This mistrust can lead to hesitancy around engaging with therapists, even when the need is urgent. 

Feeling safe in therapy is essential. Emotional safety creates space for honesty, trust, and transformation. Therapy should never feel like another space where you have to defend your identity, explain your worth, or soften your truth. It should feel like a place where you can exhale. For Black individuals, that often means working with a therapist who understands the intersection of identity, culture, and trauma. Research from the National Alliance on Mental Illness confirms that culturally competent care leads to better outcomes and greater engagement.

How to find culturally competent mental health care

This is where SonderMind steps in. SonderMind connects people to licensed therapists who are not only clinically skilled but also intentionally matched to each person’s preferences, values, and identity. Their provider network includes clinicians who prioritize inclusive, affirming, and evidence-based care. With clinically supported tools that track progress and enhance outcomes, SonderMind is committed to creating a therapy experience where you feel seen, heard, and supported.

SonderMind will do the heavy lifting to help you find the right provider, but in case you want to dig even deeper and learn more about a potential therapist’s ability to treat Black individuals, here are some questions you can ask:

• Have you treated other Black people or received specific training in cultural competence for Black mental health?
• What is your understanding of the unique mental health challenges and strengths within the Black community?
• What is your position on the mental health impact of navigating oppression, racism, and racial violence?

Beyond the questions, pay attention to:

• Their willingness to answer: A good provider will be open and transparent in discussing these topics.
• Their specificity: Look for concrete examples and thoughtful responses, rather than vague or generic statements.
• Your comfort level: Do you feel heard and respected during the conversation? Do they seem genuinely interested in understanding your unique experiences?
• Their language: Do they use inclusive and respectful language?
• Their acknowledgement of power dynamics: A culturally competent therapist will recognize and address the power imbalances inherent in the client-provider relationship.

Your healing journey starts now

For too long, therapy felt like a foreign concept for many in the Black community and something not meant for us. But the truth is, mental health care belongs to us, too. We are allowed to rest. We are allowed to feel. We are allowed to heal. Therapy is not just for when everything falls apart. It is for the version of you who shows up for everyone else and is ready to start showing up for yourself.

You do not have to wait for a breakdown to start your breakthrough. You are not too late. You are not too broken. You are worthy of care right now, just as you are. And if you are ready to begin that journey, SonderMind is here to walk with you.