Mental health is an important factor in any community, but especially the black community. The stigma surrounding mental health in the black community decreases room for the mere idea that it even exists. African Americans, being a marginalized group, have suffered centuries of oppression, racism, and severe injustice. In more recent years, this demographic has been the target of police brutality, a display of blatant racism. Statistics tell us that African Americans compose only 13% of the nation’s population. However, they make up 23% of the victims of police shootings. [1] Experiencing violence and shootings by a police officer could lead to lasting trauma suffered by those exposed to these abuses. Now more than ever, trauma levels are rising in the black community as African Americans suffer from the effects of frequent police shootings.

How Has Trauma Plagued the Black Community?

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Decades ago, lynching was a social norm. The merciless killing of African Americans without even the slightest repercussion sent a message nationwide. African Americans were fearful and distressed knowing that they could be hung without cause, and no one would be punished. This, coupled with the images of lifeless hanging bodies, led to significant amounts of trauma. In 2020, things have scarcely changed. 99% of the killings by police officers from 2013-2019 have not led to charges. [5] The fear felt then, is the same fear felt now. The traumatic experience is the same, though the time period has changed.

How Do Police Shootings Cause Trauma?

“A traumatic event is a shocking, scary, or dangerous experience that can affect someone emotionally and physically.” [2] There are various types of trauma, some of which include; community violence, physical abuse, and traumatic grief. [3]

A recent study found that African Americans traumatized by police shootings are likely to experience:

• Fear for their own lives
• Avoidance and Dissociation
• Hyper-vigilance
• Flashbacks

Racially motivated acts of violence can aid the development of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The stresses that result from police shootings have been amplified due to video sharing, media, and the lack of conviction for these crimes. Racial stress results in: [4]

• negative emotional conditions
• psychological anguish
• physiological changes
• negative coping mechanisms
• strategies and functional impairments

How Have Trauma Levels Increased in the Black Community?

A quasi-experimental study used the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) to calculate the effect of police shootings on unarmed African Americans. The BRFSS data was cross referenced with self-reported mental health cases among this demographic in the US. The process included assessing participants’ mental health state before their traumatic experience versus after. The results indicate that police shootings have negative effects on the mental health of African Americans. These shootings come with increased levels of trauma as a result of the event. Police shootings cause Post Traumatic Stress symptoms that not only affect individuals, but the communities in which they live. Experts report that clear signs of trauma are most visible from the date of the event to 2 months after witnessing a police shooting.

How Can Trauma Victims Cope?

In many communities, particularly the African American community, lies a stigma surrounding seeking professional help in regard to mental health. Speaking with a psychologist, therapist, or counselor can significantly improve your mental health. It is okay not to be okay. Never let stigmas and the opinions of others keep you from getting the help that you need. 

The effects of trauma can last a lifetime. If you or a loved one has experienced a traumatic event, there are certain steps you should take to seek help. First, consider counseling.Counseling is an ongoing process designed to help you understand your experiences and cope with your symptoms. Through counseling, you can learn to dissect your feelings and emotions. This form of therapy can help to alleviate the severity of symptoms of trauma due to police shootings such as anger, hyper-vigilance, and flashbacks.

More ways to decrease the symptoms of trauma include:

•  Creating a Routine Fitness Engaging in physical activity has proven to be a great stress reliever for survivors of trauma. In addition, exercise causes your brain to release chemicals that make your body “feel good.” (Dopamine, Serotonin, Nor-epinephrine). Survivors can create healthy habits by setting fitness related goals and focusing on achieving them.SleepCreating a sleep schedule and sticking to it can allow your body and mind to get proper rest. Adequate hours of sleep are needed to help you feel your best. The energy received from proper sleep can set the tone for your day.
  • Address Your TraumaDo not fall into a pattern of avoidance. Do not go out of your way to avoid people, places, or situations that remind you of your traumatic experience. Instead, try speaking to family, friends, or a medical professional about your experiences, feelings, and symptoms.

 Conclusion:

Ace Spencer from Pixabay“>

In all, mental health in the black community is a topic that needs to be actively discussed. The trauma and fear instilled in African Americans due to unjust killings is in no way a new phenomenon. The blatant disregard for black lives was as prevalent in the past as it is today. Systemic Racism has aided in the casual addressing of this problem that plagues the black community. The increase of police shootings has led to rising trauma levels among the demographic most targeted for these shootings. These tragedies adversely affect victims’ emotional and psychological well being which is not only detrimental to the individual, but the community at large.    

How much longer can we allow racism and oppression to tear the black community apart? We are one. People of all races, ethnicities, and communities possess the power to create change in times of chaos. The time to expose inequality, injustice, and inequity is NOW. To create change, one must incite action. Take action in your community and seek justice for victims of police killings and their families. Act Now and head straight to the polls to vote for representatives that address matters such as these head on. Speak up and use your voice to convey a message and that cannot be silenced, smothered, or suppressed. 

 Written by Janeisha Cambridge, Social Media Intern at Safe Harbor International Ministries. For more articles please visit our blog page at https://safeharborim.com/articles/ 

Featured Image by Pixabay