28 Days of Black History Month: Black Mental Health, Breaking Stigmas and Prioritizing Wellness

Mental health is essential to living our lives at optimal levels. The state of emotional, psychological, and social well-being impacts every aspect of our lives. When it comes to the issues of mental wellness in the Black community, the topic is complex with race playing a central role. Addressing the topic, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has declared that “racism is a serious threat to public health that has placed communities of color at greater risk for poor health outcomes.” To that point, Black people are far less likely to seek care. According to CDC statistics, about 25% of African Americans seek mental health treatment, compared to 40% of white Americans. A contributing factor to this continuing healthcare disparity is access. The latest census reported that around 10% of Black people in the U.S. do not have health insurance, in comparison to 5.2% of non-Hispanic white people. To bring attention to the critical importance of mental wellness, BET.com  spoke with Dr. LaNail R. Plummer, CEO of the Onyx Therapy Group.  While there’s research on the stigma of Black folks accessing mental health, Plummer has noticed a rise in the request for services. “There’s been an incline and an influx...