Mental Health & Racism - World Mental Health Day 2024

As we approach World Mental Health Day, it's critical to reflect on the interconnectedness of mental health and the larger systemic issues that impact our daily lives—specifically, the role racism plays in shaping mental health outcomes. In the work we do at VISIONS, Inc , where we support the creation of spaces where differences are recognized and address the impacts of various -isms at personal, interpersonal, cultural and institutional levels, the conversation about mental health cannot be separated from the realities of exclusion, oppression, and trauma that disproportionately affect communities of color.

The mental health challenges that arise from racism are not just individual experiences but are deeply rooted in societal structures. Racism, as an example of one of the -isms, whether overt or systemic, creates an environment of constant stress, anxiety, and rejection that manifests in the bodies and minds of those impacted. This is where neurobiology and the mind-body connection become key in understanding how racism affects mental health. Polyvagal theory, developed by Stephen Porges, sheds light on how our nervous systems react to stress, particularly how trauma, such as the trauma of living in a racially hostile or even insensitive environment, can dysregulate the body. This dysregulation can keep individuals in a state of hypervigilance, leading to mental health struggles like anxiety, depression, and even dissociation.

Transactional Analysis (TA) adds another layer to this conversation. As a theory of social psychology and personality developed by Eric Berne, TA helps us understand how early life experiences, including the cultural scripts we internalize (whether about race, gender, class, etc.), shape our behavior and emotional responses. Using race as the variable, as our co-founder, Dr. Valerie Batts has posited for over four decades: Racism can be seen as a "contamination" of the Adult and Parent ego states, where individuals adopt prejudiced beliefs without fully processing or questioning them. These scripts, often learned in childhood, perpetuate harmful stereotypes and behaviors that reinforce systemic racism.

For many Black and Brown communities, these cultural scripts are not only imposed from the outside but also become part of survival mechanisms—what we might refer to as "internalized oppression". In our work, we often see how these scripts impact mental health, leading to feelings of rejection, worthlessness, and an inability to express authentic emotions. For example, Black youth, particularly girls, are increasingly at risk for suicide—a stark indicator of the psychological toll racism takes. Studies have shown that Black youth are twice as likely to die by suicide as their white peers, and Black girls are experiencing an alarming rise in suicide rates. This is a direct result of the compounded stress of racial discrimination, adverse childhood experiences, and societal rejection.

The impact of rejection, whether on the playground or in the workplace, can feel as real as physical pain. Research shows that social rejection activates the same regions in the brain as physical injury, underscoring the need to take emotional pain seriously. In the context of racism, this rejection is a daily reality, affecting not just individual mental health but the overall well-being of entire communities.

We also cannot ignore the mind-gut connection in this discussion. The gut, often referred to as our "second brain," plays a crucial role in our emotional regulation. The stress caused by systemic racism can lead to a cascade of physiological responses, including increased cortisol levels, which in turn affect mental health. The body’s stress response is not just a mental health issue, it is also a physical one, affecting everything from digestive health to cardiovascular function.

At VISIONS, we believe that mental health advocacy must include an understanding of these broader social and biological factors. It is not enough to treat mental health in isolation; we must address the systemic issues—racism, exclusion, and inequity—that are at the root of so much psychological distress.

As we recognize World Mental Health Day this October, let’s commit to expanding the conversation about mental health to include these critical dimensions. Only by addressing the full complexity of human experience, including the intersections of race, trauma, and neurobiology, can we truly create a world where mental health care is accessible, equitable, and just for all.