How racism and discrimination can affect mental health
Racism is more than a systemic issue. It may also have a negative effect on physical and mental health.
Racism and racial discrimination continue to be issues in the U.S. and sources of stress for communities of color. Studies have shown that people who experience racial discrimination may also experience poorer physical or mental health.
Encounters of racial discrimination, like other stressful life situations, can take a toll on mental and physical health.
For starters, what does racism look like in everyday life?
Racist thinking often shows up as microaggressions, which are everyday statements or actions that can be an indirect form of discrimination towards a marginalized group.
These can seem harmless to the person carrying out the microaggression, but can have a negative impact on the person on the receiving end.
Institutional and systemic racism can also show up in academic or work life. People of color may not be considered for academic opportunities or promotions due to the implicit bias of people who make those decisions. Whether we recognize them or not, we all hold internal biases that play out in our lives and impact how we perceive and treat others.
In healthcare, internal biases may cause doctors to undertreat Black patients who are expressing pain compared to white people. This is due to misaligned beliefs about the differences between Black and white people, such as thinking that their skin is “thicker” or can handle more pain.
Racism can also manifest as violence, as seen with cases of police brutality and the uptick of hate crimes against Asian Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic. Such crimes are not only dangerous to the person involved; entire communities share the pain and may worry about their own safety.
Lastly, years of racist institutions and practices like residential segregation have led to inequalities and adverse health outcomes for marginalized communities.
How does racism affect mental health?
Some of the immediate effects of racial discrimination can be tied to our stress response, according to Psychology Today.
When we’re stressed our bodies release adrenaline and cortisol. Our heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure increase. These are all reactions that would help us to respond quickly to a threat.
The stress response can come about from physical or emotional stressors, such as an act of racial discrimination. Over time, repeated incidents and chronic stress can have a negative impact on health.
Racial discrimination may also have a negative impact on self-esteem.
Several studies have found a link between racial discrimination and health, both mental and physical.
A 2015 meta-analysis reviewed almost 300 studies between 1983 and 2013 that explore racism as a determinant of health. The analysis found that racism was associated with poorer mental health outcomes.
Another study in 2017 surveyed Asian-American college students to track their moods, health, and instances of race-related stressors. Results showed that those who experienced racial microaggressions reported poorer sleep quality the next day.
While there is no quick fix to solve or end racism, there are ways to support communities of color.
Support can come in the form of financial donations, volunteering with social change organizations, educating yourself through books and other materials, supporting Black or minority-owned business, and by listening to the people in your life who are sharing their experiences.
As we wrap up Black History Month, let us look out for the mental and physical health of communities who sometimes endure the stress of racism on a daily basis.
2020 became a year of racial reckoning in the U.S. but there is still far to go to create a more just and equal society.
At Alpha Medical, we’re doing our part by using our telemedicine platform to provide accessible and affordable healthcare for all. To learn more about our services, visit our website.
