It's Women's History Month: Black Women Tap In

It's time for your annual mental health checkup

Photo Source: Unsplash

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 sexual assault more than White, Asian, and Latinas, based on a study conducted from 2005–2010.
• 40%-60% of Black women report that they were being subjected to coercive sexual contact by the age of 18.
• Approximately 72% of Black babies are born in single-parent households, which means the majority of the daily child-rearing is left up to the women.
• Many Black women and girls grew up with no positive male figures, toxic ones, or those who were otherwise inconsistent.
• 4 out of 10 Black women have been subjected to intimate partner violence at some point in their lives.
• There is a culture that stereotypes Black women and girls by labeling them jezebels, promiscuous, etc., which only serves to impede bringing their predators and attackers to justice.
• The criminal justice system treats Black victims and perpetrators differently than those from…