February is Black History Month. This is a wonderful time to celebrate and pay tribute to remarkable leaders and changemakers like Martin Luther King, Jr., Harriet Tubman, and Frederick Douglas. However, it is also imperative to recognize the realities faced as a result of slavery, trauma, and continued discrimination against the Black community, especially when it comes to mental health. Therefore, as a team, we collectively celebrate Black History Month in words and work to ensure 988 is equitable and accessible to all. 

Discrimination, structural and institutional racism, and racial trauma contribute to Black folks facing disproportionate impacts when it comes to mental health and mental healthcare. SAMHSA’s 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows that 16% of Black and African American folks reported having a mental illness. Suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts are rising among Black young adults, and a  CDC report indicated that Black teenagers are more likely to attempt suicide than White teenagers. Racism and discrimination in healthcare mean that communities of color are at a greater risk for poor health outcomes and distrust of medical and mental health systems. 

While acknowledging the grief and trauma experienced by Black Americans, it is also imperative that we celebrate Black joy. Therefore, Equity & Belonging’s Policy team wants to acknowledge and celebrate Black History Month by highlighting some recent bills which indicate the potential for a more equitable future:

• Senator Cory Booker and Representative Sheila Jackson Lee recently introduced bills in Congress to formally establish a commission to study and develop recommended reparations for African Americans.
• Senator Cory Booker is also introducing legislation that would authorize the Director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture to support African American history education programs.
• In the New York State Senate, Senator Brouk and Assemblymember Jean-Pierre introduced legislation establishing a Black youth suicide prevention task force.