Racism is a pervasive societal issue that has afflicted human civilization for generations. This discrimination targets people because of their race or ethnicity and can manifest in various ways, from prejudice and stereotyping to outright hostility.
The mental effects of racism are frequently overlooked, yet it is substantial and long-lasting. Besides hurting physical health, this pressing issue can affect an individual’s mental health.
Racial discrimination contributes to psychological distress, anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. It’s a source of stress, leading to numerous adverse health outcomes, including hypertension, coronary heart disease, and diabetes.
In this article, we’ll examine the effects of racism on mental health:
1. Low Self-Esteem
Racism profoundly influences mental health, and one of the most noticeable outcomes is a decrease in self-esteem. Most people facing racial abuse often experience feelings of shame, guilt, and self-doubt.
The resulting low sense of self-worth might feed the cycle of emotional distress. Racism is also associated with hopelessness and helplessness, making people feel like they have no control over their lives.
Children are particularly vulnerable to the psychological harm that racism causes. Young people subjected to racism are at increased risk of reduced self-esteem and other emotional issues. They could find it hard to trust others and have trouble forming friendships. A child’s capacity to study and succeed in school may also be negatively affected by early exposure to racism.
2. Racial Trauma
Racial trauma is another effect of racism. When a person suffers a traumatic event because of racism, they may develop a kind of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) known as racial trauma.
This trauma might result from a single racist encounter or chronic racism. Hate speech and physical assault are just some examples of how people directly or indirectly experience these racist incidents. Racial trauma can also leave a profound and permanent scar on an individual’s mental health.
Experiencing racial trauma can have lasting effects on a person’s sense of identity, self-worth, and relationship with family and community, causing them to withdraw emotionally and distrust others.
Racially abused persons often suffer from racial trauma
3. Microaggression
Racism in the form of microaggressions can adversely affect someone’s mental health. Microaggressions are implicit biases significantly influencing the emotional well-being of colored persons, although largely unintended. Some examples include having your credentials questioned or thoughts and experiences rejected.
Microaggressions can add up over time to leave a significant impact, eliciting emotions such as annoyance, rage, and despair. These unfavorable feelings prompt the development of mental health issues such as stress, anxiety, and depression in the long run. Microaggressions also increase the likelihood of developing depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems.
4. Neurological Issues
Racism has been shown to pose direct neurological issues. Exposure to racism over a long period can alter the brain’s structure, resulting in memory loss and an increased chance of developing dementia.
How? Constant racial stress can produce cortisol, a hormone known to induce brain cell damage over time.
When exposed to high cortisol levels for prolonged periods, the hippocampus — the brain area vital in learning, memory, and controlling emotions — can get damaged. Neurodegeneration can also result from chronic stress due to the inflammation and oxidative stress it causes in the brain.
5. Social Isolation and Disconnection
One way racism affects mental health is by contributing to feelings of alienation and loneliness. Those who experience racial or ethnic discrimination may question their value as human beings and their place in society.
Consequently, they may experience emotions of loneliness, isolation, and withdrawal from society — risk factors for the start of mental health issues. Furthermore, hypervigilance and paranoia can worsen these problems as people find it difficult to trust others due to being constantly judged or assessed.
Albeit significant enough, racism also has far-reaching consequences in colored communities. For context, it can create a feeling of social exclusion and distrust among members of such areas, leading to several detrimental health effects, such as high rates of mental illness and substance misuse.
According to studies, people who reside in areas with high racial discrimination rates are at a greater risk of abusing drugs and developing depressive and anxiety disorders. These unfavorable health issues may cascade across the neighborhood, resulting in increased crime, decreased social cohesiveness, and other damaging results.
Final Thoughts
Racism is a persistent and harmful social issue that significantly affects mental health. It can appear in many ways, from full-blown acts of prejudice to more subtle discrimination.
Mental health is negatively affected by racism. As such, it must be addressed and prevented. Some ways to curb racism in our society include creating awareness about the adverse effects of racism, offering mental health care, making communities more accepting of colored people, and eliminating discrimination at its root.