It's Women's History Month: Black Women Tap In
It's time for your annual mental health checkup
Happy Women’s History Month!
This makes it a fine time for a check-in with my fellow Black women.
Often regarded as the backbones of the community, as a Black woman, I will always believe that it's up to us to make sure we're OK as a collective. We certainly can't count on those who have been thrusting us into more masculine roles, all while criticizing our perceived level of feminity. But that's another story for another day.
Black Woman Mental Health Stats
Let's talk mental health and Black women, shall we?
Firstly, studies have shown that those who experience a high level of "early life disadvantage" become far more likely to experience depression in adulthood. One study, in particular, asserts that Black women who experienced "high early life disadvantage" and at least some college education had a 37% increased risk of depression.
Although we are by no means a monolith, trauma is the common denominator among the majority of Black women and girls.
Here are some of the reasons why:
- African American girls and women 12 years of age and older experience rape and…
