Women of colour & mental health

Studies with Black women and with Asian American women have described forms of everyday unfair treatment that come from being a woman of a particular background, such as being stereotyped as angry, or as quiet and submissive.

Racism and discrimination are linked with poorer mental health, including depression, anxiety and stress, across many studies.

Many women of colour are the person their family turns to: earning, caring, translating, organising and keeping traditions alive. Research with Black women describes a strong sense of obligation to help others, sometimes at the cost of their own needs.

Many health statistics are not broken down by both race and sex, so women of colour’s experiences can be hidden inside bigger averages. National surveys also report some groups, such as American Indian and Alaska Native adults, less often.

Feeling good and proud about your ethnic and racial identity is linked with better wellbeing and fewer mental health struggles, according to a review of many studies with young people.

Faith and spiritual practices are a source of strength and coping for many people.

Women in the study saw real benefits in the Superwoman role: it helped preserve themselves, their families and their communities through hard times.

Women also described costs: strain in relationships, stress-related habits like poor sleep or skipping meals, and stress showing up in the body.

The researcher linked stress and this role to health gaps for Black women, including untreated depression.

Being seen as strong can mean others do not notice when you are struggling, and you may not let yourself notice either. Low mood can show up as tiredness, irritability or body aches rather than sadness.

Small permissions

• Ask for help with one task this week
• Let one thing be “good enough”
• Say no to one extra request
• Schedule rest like an appointment
• Share a feeling instead of a fix

Research with Black women identified common stereotypes: the “angry Black woman”, the “strong Black woman”, being silenced or overlooked, and assumptions about beauty and sexuality.

Being labelled “angry” for speaking up can make women hold back, even when they have every right to be heard.

Research with Asian American women identified stereotypes of being submissive, being treated as if all Asian women look the same, being fetishised, and seeing these images repeated in the media.

Microaggressions research includes messages like being treated as a perpetual foreigner, praised for speaking English “so well”, or assumed to be less capable.

Being the “only one” in a room, being mistaken for someone else, or having your ideas credited to others can feed self-doubt. Over time, constant vigilance takes energy.

Adults treated unfairly by a provider were more than twice as likely to go without needed mental health care (41% vs 18%).

Some women choose to wait or skip care altogether because past visits felt unsafe. That is understandable, and you deserve better.

Among adults who needed care but did not look for it, about 1 in 5 Black adults said a main reason was believing they would not find a provider who shared or understood their background.

U.S. national standards for culturally and linguistically appropriate care say health services should offer language help at no cost to people with limited English.

Ideas

• Ask, “What else could this be?”
• Bring a friend or family member for support
• Ask for a different provider if you feel dismissed
• Ask them to note in your record if they decline a request
• Write down your main concerns and how long they have lasted

A 2023 CDC survey found mistreatment, such as being ignored, shouted at, or having requests for help refused, was reported by 30% of Black, 29.3% of Hispanic and 27.3% of multiracial mothers.

Nearly half of all mothers held back from asking questions or sharing concerns. Reasons included thinking symptoms were normal, not wanting to make a fuss, worrying about seeming difficult, or a provider who seemed rushed.

In 2023, the U.S. maternal death rate was 50.3 per 100,000 live births for Black women, compared with 14.5 for White women, 12.4 for Hispanic women and 10.7 for Asian women.

Depression can happen during pregnancy or after birth for any woman. It is not a sign of weakness or a bad mother.

Ideas

• Ask for written information about warning signs after birth
• Bring a partner, relative or doula to appointments
• Tell your provider if something feels wrong, and repeat it if needed
• Write questions down beforehand

Black adults with a mental illness are less likely to get treatment than White adults. Black women also report higher rates of mistreatment in maternity care.

In 2023, 13.4% of Black female high school students had attempted suicide in the past year, higher than among female students overall.

Hispanic adults with a mental illness are less likely to get treatment than White adults. In 2023, 14.8% of Hispanic female high school students had attempted suicide in the past year, higher than among female students overall.

Distress may be described in cultural terms, like “susto” (a fright that shakes the spirit), or felt in the body. That is a real way of expressing pain.

Asian adults with a mental illness are among the least likely to get treatment. Asian adults were also the most likely to say it was hard to find a provider who understood their background.

In 2023, teenage Asian American girls aged 15 to 19 had a higher suicide death rate than teenage girls overall.

A national survey found 84.3% of American Indian and Alaska Native women had experienced violence in their lifetime, including 56.1% who had experienced sexual violence.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs notes that Native people face a disproportionately high risk of violence, murder and going missing, and runs a Missing and Murdered Unit.

A review of 62 U.S. studies found immigrants from Asia, Latin America and Africa used mental health services less than others, even when their need was as great or greater. Main barriers were lack of insurance, cost and language. Many first turned to family, friends or religious leaders.

Multiracial mothers reported mistreatment in maternity care at rates close to Black and Hispanic mothers.

Being asked “What are you?” or having your identity questioned can be tiring. You get to describe yourself in your own words.

Positive feelings about your racial and ethnic identity are linked with better wellbeing. Food, music, language, stories and traditions can all be ways back to yourself.

Religious and spiritual practices are linked with better coping for many people. Most people of faith in one U.S. poll said they would seek mental health care if their faith leader recommended it.

Seeing race-related traumatic events online has been linked with poorer mental health in young people of colour. Taking breaks from upsetting news is one way to protect your mind.

Ideas

• Check the news once a day, not all day
• Mute or unfollow accounts that leave you drained
• Choose not to watch graphic videos
• Follow creators who bring you joy

Simple ways to unwind

• A walk outside
• Dancing to music you love
• Slow breathing for two minutes
• Stretching or gentle movement before bed
• Time with people who make you laugh

Putting feelings into words with people you trust can make them feel less intense. Look for women’s groups at your faith community, cultural centre, workplace or school.

Community and cultural organisations often understand family expectations and can connect you with services. You can also call 211 to find local help in many languages.

Mentors who share your background can offer advice for navigating work and school, and remind you that you belong there.