Dismantling Barriers: Mental Health Stigma and Support-Seeking Behavior Among Black Women in the United Kingdom

To understand how intersectional identities of race and gender are associated with Black women’s experiences with mental health stigma and the barriers they encounter. This research explores Black women’s perceptions of poor mental health and their willingness to seek support. Additionally, this study seeks to understand stigma-related barriers to support-seeking behavior among Black women, with the overall goal of fostering a more supportive environment and improving access to mental health support. Semi-structured interviews were conducted between March and May 2024, with eight Black women living in the United Kingdom. Interviews were analyzed using Thematic Analysis. Four broad themes were identified: the Strong Black Woman trope, perceived stigma, religion and spirituality, and mental health service accessibility. These findings indicate that participants’ attitudes toward, and utilization of, mental health services were negatively impacted by the ways in which mental health was experienced. Particularly relevant were the impact of the Strong Black Woman trope, perceived stigma, religious and spiritual considerations, and the preference for culturally sensitive practitioners. Mental health services should promote their presence in areas with predominantly Black women and should prioritize cultural competency within these services to foster engagement and to provide the appropriate and effective support they require.