You might find it helpful to talk to someone of a similar race or ethnicity to you. Learn your rights and how to report abuse. This can help you feel empowered and remind you that what you are experiencing is not okay and no one should believe that it is. Find supportive groups and communities who understand what you are going through.
It can be very hard to explain how you feel to a person that has not experienced racism, whether directly or indirectly. Online communities can be a way to find like-minded people with similar experiences and shared interests that you can talk to, have a safe space to be heard and remember that you are not alone.
Join a movement to create change. There are many anti-racist movements and organisations who are fighting for change in society. Being part of a larger movement can help you feel empowered, valued and give you a sense of hope that change is possible.
Make sure to take time out to rest and look after yourself if you are regularly involved in activism. Remember it is not your responsibility to fix racism. Do not put pressure on yourself — this is a problem you cannot solve on your own. The people around you all have a responsibility to make changes to their behaviour and to uphold the rights of Black and ethnic minority groups.
Clean your social media feed. What we see on online can have a negative impact on our mental health, but remember you can have control over what you see on your social media.
Try unfollowing or blocking accounts and muting words that upset you. All social media channels have ways you can report abusive behaviour. Racism and my mental health "Nobody has any right to discriminate against you based on your race or ethnicity.
Black mental health matters Everybody deserves mental health support when they need it. Our guest blogger, Wes, shares why it's important that we talk about Black mental health. How racism impacts my mental health Sian, 19, shares how racism affects her mental health, and what helps her cope.
Anybody can report a hate crime - whether they are the victim, someone who witnessed the crime, or someone the victim has told about the crime or incident. If you need help and support with making a complaint, you can contact your local NHS Complaints Advocacy service.
This is a free and confidential service, independent from the NHS. You can choose to complain to the NHS service provider directly, or to the commissioner of the services, which is the body that pays for the NHS services you use. Once you have made a complaint, you should expect an acknowledgement and the offer of a discussion about the handling of your complaint within working days.
Visit the NHS webpage on making complaints for more guidance. See below for a list of organisations and helpline services that have information to support you.
Provides independent, confidential and accessible support for victims and witnesses of hate crimes or discrimination. Information on accessibility available here. You can report any form of hate crime through their website here. You can call to talk through any worry or problem, including around issues such as bereavement, physical or mental health, financial issues or unemployment, or bullying and racism.
Interpreters are available for other languages. Webchat service available here during opening hours. Find out more about your rights under the Equality Act and how it protects different characteristics, such as gender, race and sexuality. It's just wrong.
And in many cases, racism is against the law. For more information, see the "What does the law say" factsheet. You can also get support or advice to deal with a difficult situation from organisations like Kids Helpline and ReachOut.
Why is racism a problem? However, there is evidence to suggest that certain factors can help people cope with the negative effects of racism, both physically and mentally. Many studies have suggested that talking about racist experiences, instead of bottling them up, can help a person process feelings of stress, anger, and frustration. Studies into racism and its effects on mental health have found that BIPOC who felt strongly about their racial identity were less likely to be distressed by racism and less likely to be physically or mentally affected by it.
Therefore, having a well-developed sense of ethnic or racial identity may help blunt or buffer the effects of racism. However, research must continue in this area, as findings are still limited. Having a network of people to talk to for support, advice, and comfort can help people cope with racial discrimination.
It can encourage a sense of security and identity and reduce negative thoughts and feelings. Some studies have also found that having a strong support network may even combat depression. According to the American Psychological Association , socioeconomic status can directly affect both physical and mental health.
Researchers have linked low socioeconomic status and a lack of economic development to poor health and a shorter life expectancy. According to a analysis of 1. People with low socioeconomic status are also more likely to have avoidable medical procedures and hospitalizations, as well as conditions that go untreated. Reduced access to housing, employment, and mortgage lending due to low socioeconomic status can adversely affect mental health and increase feelings of depression, stress, and anxiety.
Although Hispanic and African American people seem to have a lower risk of mental health conditions than those in other racial or ethnic groups, those who do develop such conditions tend to have more persistent psychological issues. However, it is worth noting that this perceived lower risk may be due to racial inequities in the healthcare system.
Also, although there is an association between socioeconomic status and race, there is not perfect correspondence between race and low socioeconomic status. Indeed, even among BIPOC of middle and upper socioeconomic status, the effects of racism on mental and physical health persist.
Research suggests that the stress that develops due to experiencing or witnessing racism can have long lasting effects, increasing the risk of chronic disease and mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression in both children and adults. Utilizing the support of peers and community, forging a strong sense of racial identity, and talking about racist experiences can all be effective ways of coping with the stress of racism.
Research suggests that low socioeconomic status has the same impact on physical health as smoking, heavy alcohol use, or an unhealthful diet. Racial groups with higher levels of low socioeconomic status also tend to have more persistent mental health conditions. In this Special Feature, we look at how racism prevents people of color and those from marginalized ethnic backgrounds from accessing mental…. Medical News Today asked its experts: 'What do you wish people knew about health inequity?
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