Why Black Women Are More Stressed Than Ever and How To Address It

Concerns over the economy, mass deportations, and overall uncertainty and political unrest are causing Americans to feel higher levels of stress, and women of color are experiencing the brunt.

April is stress awareness month, and studies show Americans are more stressed now than ever. According to a recent report conducted by Mental Health America, about 23% of American adults say they experienced a mental health condition in 2024, and about 75% of Americans reported experiencing a physical or mental health symptom of stress in the last month. Although stress seems to be increasing for many, stress and symptoms associated with chronic stress appear to be rising at more significant rates for women compared to men. This is especially true for Black women and other women of color. But experts say there are intentional actions you can take to combat stress.

What Is Stress?

Stress is not necessarily a disease or mental health condition, but it can have lasting effects on a person’s mental health and wellness. The American Institute of Stress describes stress as the body’s specific response to any pleasant or unpleasant demand. More commonly than not, the source of stress is caused by some sort of life change that takes place. For example, a divorce, the loss of a loved one, the birth of…