For too long, Black women have carried the weight of the world on our shoulders. We’re strong, resilient, and we get things done.  But what happens when “strong” becomes synonymous with “silent”?  When we push down our own pain, telling ourselves we’re just “tired” or “stressed,” when really, we might be experiencing depression?

We’re so used to being the backbone, the support system, that we often neglect our own well-being.  We’re taught to be strong Black women, to handle anything life throws our way.  But this “strength” can sometimes be a mask, hiding the deep sadness and hopelessness that depression can bring.  We normalize the struggle, the sleepless nights, the constant worry, until it becomes just another part of being a Black woman.

Let’s be real, the statistics are alarming. Black women are disproportionately affected by depression, often experiencing more severe and chronic symptoms than other groups (McCall, Foster, & Schwartz, 2023). And yet, we’re less likely to seek help (McCall et al., 2023). Why?  There are a multitude of reasons.  Stigma within our own community, lack of culturally competent mental health professionals, and the ever-present “strong Black woman” trope all play a role.  We fear judgment, we fear vulnerability, and sometimes, we simply don’t recognize the signs of depression in ourselves.

We tell ourselves stories. “I’m just going through a phase.” “I’ll be fine, I always am.”  “I don’t have time to be depressed.”  But these stories are often just coping mechanisms, ways to avoid facing the reality of our mental health.  We pour all our energy into everyone else, leaving nothing for ourselves.  We become experts at masking our pain, putting on a brave face while crumbling inside.

But here’s the truth:  Ignoring depression doesn’t make it go away.  It festers, it grows, and it can eventually consume us.  We deserve better than that.  We deserve to prioritize our mental well-being just as much as we prioritize everything else in our lives.

We need to break the silence. We need to talk openly about depression within our community. We need to challenge the stigma that prevents us from seeking help. We need to create safe spaces where Black women can be vulnerable and honest about their struggles.

And we need to recognize the signs.  Depression isn’t just about feeling sad.  It can manifest in many ways: persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or emptiness; loss of interest in activities we once enjoyed; changes in appetite or sleep; fatigue; difficulty concentrating; irritability; and even physical symptoms like headaches or stomachaches.

If any of this resonates with you, please know that you are not alone.  You are worthy of help and healing.  Reaching out for support is a sign of strength, not weakness.  Talk to a trusted friend, family member, or mental health professional.  Your mental health matters.  Your well-being matters.  You matter.

Let’s rewrite the narrative. Let’s prioritize our mental health. Let’s break the silence and support each other.  Let’s reclaim our joy and our peace.

Reference

McCall, T., Foster, M., & Schwartz, T. A. (2023). Attitudes toward seeking mental health services and mobile technology to support the management of depression among Black American women: Cross-sectional survey study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 25, e44387.