Examining stigma surrounding black women's mental health and its influence on support seeking

Objective: To understand how intersectional identities of race and gender influence Black women’s experiences with mental health stigma and the barriers they encounter. This research explores the cultural nuances that affect their perception of poor mental health and their willingness to seek support, contributing to the development of culturally competent mental health services. Additionally, this study seeks to understand stigma-related barriers to support-seeking behaviour amongst Black women, with the overall goal of fostering a more supportive environment and improving access to mental health support.<br/>Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight Black women living in the United Kingdom to explore the ways stigma influences their support-seeking behaviours. Interviews were conducted via telephone or online video calls and were analysed using Thematic Analysis. <br/>Results: Four broad themes were identified as associated with the decision to seek or avoid support services: the Strong Black Woman trope, perceived stigma, religion and spirituality, and mental health service accessibility. These findings indicate that participants’ attitudes toward and utilisation of mental health services were negatively impacted by these themes, highlighting the impact of the Strong Black Woman trope, perceived stigma, religious and spiritual considerations and the preference for culturally sensitive practitioners. <br/>Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight that mental health services should promote their presence in areas of predominantly Black women and should prioritise cultural competency within these services to foster engagement among Black women and to provide the appropriate and effective support they require.