Black Masculinity and Mental Health: How to Move Past Outdated Expectations and Myths for Better Care
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Black Masculinity and Mental Health: Moving Past Outdated Expectations and Myths for Better Care

Black Masculinity and Mental Health: Moving Past Outdated Expectations and Myths for Better Care
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Published on November 30, 2021
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When it comes to mental health care, one of the hardest parts can be asking for help. For Black men and masculine individuals, outdated societal expectations and stigma surrounding mental health can make that step even more challenging.

Black men experience societal pressure to embody masculinity by being a stable financial provider — whether you’re a partner in a couple relationship or part of a family unit — and this can lead to overall self-neglect. Stigma surrounding mental illness, along with the stereotype that Black masculinity means being strong and stoic, can lead to the avoidance or repression of emotions and an unwillingness to seek psychological help.

Because these ideals are so woven into our societies and communities, it may require an intentional decision not to abide by them when they don’t serve you. And that makes it extra important to pay attention to both your physical and mental health so you can assess how you’re doing and know when to seek help if you need it.

Mental Health in the Black Community

Racism and discrimination have long been linked to adverse mental health outcomes among Black Americans. Being treated as “less than” because of the color of your skin can be stressful and traumatizing. And systemic and structural factors have prevented many people from accessing the care and treatment they need.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, Black Americans are more likely to experience persistent symptoms of emotional distress, such as sadness and feeling that everything is an effort, than white Americans.

They also experience higher rates of depression than their white counterparts, yet they’re more likely to be underdiagnosed and untreated for depressive symptoms.

 Just 1 in 3 Black Americans with any kind of mental illness receives treatment.

Barriers to Treatment Access for Black Communities

For many Black Americans, the challenge of addressing mental health issues is a result of socioeconomic factors such as lower rates of health insurance, because the ability to acquire insurance is often tied to income and employment.

 Low or no income also plays a role in mental health in general: Black Americans living below the poverty level are twice as likely to report psychological distress as those whose living standard is over twice the poverty level.

Mistrust of the healthcare system, dating back centuries, as well as a lack of culturally competent providers also prevents many Black Americans from seeking mental health treatment.

 Only 2 percent of psychiatrists and 4 percent of psychologists in the United States identify as Black, although 13.2 percent of the U.S. population identifies as Black.

How Black Masculinity Stops Black Men From Seeking Mental Health Care

As mental health challenges persist in this community, many Black Americans still aren’t receiving the mental health care and treatment they need.

According to a study in the American Journal of Men’s Health, African American men are the most affected by systemic problems of racism and discrimination, including the school-to-prison pipeline and other outcomes that can contribute to poor mental health.

 Yet even when a mental health issue is known or suspected, Black men may be reluctant to seek treatment. This is often because societal and cultural norms or stereotypes act as barriers.

Masculinity = Silence and Stoicism

Racial disparities, combined with how society portrays masculinity in opposition to emotionality, often lead African American men and masculine individuals to neglect their mental health. Many have internalized ideals such as strength and independence, which fit within the social constructs of Black masculinity yet impact their help-seeking behaviors.

“When we think about the barriers … related to masculinity, it is this stoicism. It is having to be the provider without the actual support systems and structures to be those things, and having a really limited view on the range of emotionality,” says Natalie Patterson, the director of training and programs for the Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective (BEAM) in Culver City, California.

“The stigma [surrounding mental health] shows up in people feeling embarrassed about going through something — feeling inherent shame because you are going through a challenge,” she says.

Silence can therefore become habitual for African American men when it comes to their mental health.

Religion and Spirituality

Traditional interpretations of religion can also contribute to a lack of adequate mental health care, because some people view seeking external support not directly connected to the church as a sign of wavering faith in God.

This view can be damaging and can reinforce harmful narratives surrounding mental health, such as that your challenges are your fault or something that you should be able to manage on your own. While some may seek out counseling services offered by a clergy leader, others may choose to struggle in silence.

Other Harmful Stereotypes

Patterson says homophobia and transphobia may also play a role when it comes to cultural norms. A study in the Journal of Black Psychology found that certain characteristics of traditional masculinity, including adverse responses to things perceived as feminine and negative behavior toward gay men, become barriers for Black men when it comes to seeking help for mental health.

Because emotionality is sometimes negatively associated with homosexuality or femininity, men and masculine individuals may take a more extreme route of avoiding feelings to distance themselves from those connections. “There are so many barriers and so many stigmas related to men caring for themselves, because society has painted it as, ‘You can only be a man one kind of way,’” says Patterson.

More Black Men Are Promoting Change by Opening Up About Mental Health Struggles

Chris Shreve, PhD, a board-certified mental health counselor and traumatologist in Bingham Farms, Michigan, says that part of his role as a Black male provider is to create an environment where trust can be built.

“It’s important that we create that access and allow men to feel safe in this process. That's the biggest thing that I try to do: create a safe space for men to come in and share any emotion,” he says. “I even encourage men to cry, because I know men have a lot of stuff to cry about — we just don't do it.”

At BEAM, part of Patterson’s work focuses on reimagining Black masculinity. In groups that include people across different gender and sexuality spectrums, she says, “[We give] people time and space to actually sit with [questions like], ‘Where did I get this idea from? How do I personally define masculinity versus how is the world defining it?’”

The experience allows participants to rethink masculinity roles, helping Black men and masculine folks dismantle stereotypes and misconceptions, and walk away with fresh viewpoints. Patterson says the results can be profound, with participants often telling her, “I've never been in a space like this. This is so helpful to me. I'm so glad to be in this room to hear other perspectives.”

Conversations often start when celebrities open up about their mental health, as well. “When Kendrick Lamar had an album a few years ago [Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers] that talked about how he went to therapy, a lot of Black folks in our communities listened to that album, and it did move the pendulum for them to think it was okay to go to therapy, too,” says Dr. Shreve.

How to Get Ready to Seek Mental Health Treatment

A lot of Black men have untold stories that they’re afraid to share, which creates barriers to treatment, Shreve says. But with increased understanding that mental health support has a real impact, more men are moving past those fears.

As you take steps toward getting mental health support, it’s important to keep a few things in mind.

It’s Okay to Be Scared

Embarking on a journey of caring for yourself may sound simple, but it’s a vulnerable step toward wellness that is anything but easy.

Patterson encourages those interested in seeking help to not let that fear be a barrier. “Doing new things is scary and hard, and you can do scary and hard things,” Patterson says.

Don’t Do It Alone

Shame and stigma can breed silence. Patterson suggests we consider disrupting those cycles by sharing your goals or decisions with a trusted loved one. There’s no pressure to share your journey of finding a therapist on social media, but having someone in your corner can make a difference along the way.

Support Comes in Many Forms

Patterson reminds us that mental health support is not one-size-fits-all. Talk therapy is a well known modality, but many other options are available, ranging from somatic interventions to art therapy to peer support groups.

Even if talk therapy is the right choice for you, there are different styles and approaches under that umbrella, including cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), dialectal behavior therapy (DBT), and more.

If you’re looking for a provider, it’s important to find the right fit. Do your research and feel empowered to ask questions so you can come up with the right person and treatment plan for you and your goals.

You Might Be Challenged, and That’s Okay

Whether through a peer support group, somatic workshops, or traditional talk therapy, engaging in a journey to address your mental health will likely mean doing something differently.

When it comes to Black men and masculine people, this could look like challenging someone’s current understanding of what masculinity is. Shreve says that he works with his clients to create a new understanding of what “a man” means to them.

“I'm always learning and expanding on my knowledge of the complicated lives that many of our brothers have had,” he says. “I’m working to unpack that in treatment and not rock their masculine format, but reshape it so they understand what it is to be a healthy man — and a healthy man has both logic and emotion,” he says.

The Takeaway

  • The definition of Black masculinity is different for each individual and includes an array of emotions and experiences.
  • Black men and masculine individuals’ approach to mental health is largely shaped by cultural norms.
  • Seeking mental health support is not a sign of weakness or distrust in your faith, but rather a commitment to your health and well-being.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Black/African American. National Alliance on Mental Illness.
  2. Mental and Behavioral Health — Black/African Americans. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health. February 13, 2025.
  3. Racial Disparities in Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Depression. Blue Cross Blue Shield. May 31, 2022.
  4. Hill L et al. Health Coverage by Race and Ethnicity, 2010-2023. KFF. February 13, 2025.
  5. Understanding and Amelioriating Medical Mistrust Among Black Americans. The Commonwealth Fund. January 14, 2021.
  6. Bailey R. Best Practice Highlights: African Americans/Blacks. American Psychiatric Association.
  7. Psychology’s Workforce Is Becoming More Diverse. American Psychological Association. November 1, 2020.
  8. Johnson A et al. How Masculinity Impedes African American Men From Seeking Mental Health Treatment. American Journal of Men’s Health. September 17, 2024.
  9. Coleman-Kirumba LM et al. Experiences of Black Men: Forms of Masculinity and Effects on Psychological Help-Seeking Variables. Journal of Black Psychology. May 16, 2022.
  10. Psychotherapies. National Institutes of Health. February 2024.
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