Racism, Stress, & Coping

The stress and trauma of racism in our society for communities of color is informed by a long history of violence and social injustice. Provided here are resources centered around racial disparities and promoting healing, growth, and avenues for change. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has accentuated significant health disparities for Black and Latinx communities in the U.S. Populations of color have contracted COVID-19 at higher rates than White individuals; with greater morbidity and mortality.^1,2 We are learning that systemic racism is a major factor in these disparate outcomes: a disproportionate number of African-American and Latino individuals work in settings that are high risk for exposure, and they are more likely to lack medical insurance, the means to be tested for coronavirus, to be adequately treated for underlying conditions, or to receive early treatment for COVID-19.² 

The stress and trauma of racism in our society for communities of color is informed by a long history of violence and social injustice. The effects of systemic racism, especially on African-Americans in our country, permeates our society with consequences including negative outcomes for physical and mental well-being. Images, media portrayals and public discourse have triggered post-traumatic stress symptoms across in many of us, with the heaviest toll being that on racial minorities. Protests have sparked a discussion most feel is long overdue to address the effects of oppression on African-Americans after the senseless murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. We are aware that these conversations, although emotionally charged, are necessary for change; take courage and bravery to achieve a more racially just society.

The mental health effects of racism are vast. The inability for communities of color to access mental health resources creates a barrier to the path of treatment and recovery. Lack of resources coupled with distrust of the medical field due to past transgressions towards African-Americans, in particular, and the stigma associated with mental health treatment in communities of color create a perfect storm for untreated intergenerational mental health illness. 

Growth and Change

Columbia University Irving Medical Center and other institutions around the country have acknowledged the historical systemic racism that exists and are committed to making change. As part of CopeColumbia’s commitment to promoting the health and well-being of our entire community, we encourage peer-supported open dialogue around mental health challenges that include racial disparities. Our efforts aim to enhance resilience and coping amongst peers while promoting healing, growth, and avenues for change. 

Additional Resources

• David Williams on the Ezra Klein Podcast regarding Social Determinants of Health
• Unequal Care: Mental Health and Black Americans
• The Mental Health Effects of COVID-19 on Communities of Color

References

• ¹ Gross, C.P., Essien, U.R., Pasha, S. et al. Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Population-Level Covid-19 Mortality. J GEN INTERN MED (2020)
• ² Price-Haywood, E.G., Burnton, J., Fort, D. et al. Hospitalization and Mortality among Black Patients and White Patients with Covid-19. NEJM (2020)