THE EFFECTS OF RACISM ON MENTAL HEALTH 1
The Effects of Racism on Mental Health
Introduction
There exists too much controversy concerning why some individuals have insignificant
life opportunities and particularly more impoverished experiences regarding mental health. One
explanation for this kind of racial inequalities within the mental health structure and general
society is racism. The position of racism within the society as being a cause of mental illnesses
or even being a factor leading to poor mental health has been contested within research (Berman
& Paradies, 2010). this is significantly focused on the emerging evidence even though there are
firmly held on perceptions, both by persons who do not want to discuss racism and those in need
of addressing the issue. Racism could be defined as the discrimination, prejudice, or antagonism
that is directed towards an individual of a different color or race n the basis of the belief that
one's race is more superior than the other (Salter, Adams & Perez, 2018). concerning this
definition of racism, there have been continued challenges as a result of the increased cases of
racism within the United States as well as globally. Racism has been in current times been
associated with the increased levels of stress among persons of color, which has increased the
rates of psychological health problems amongst these individuals. The potential impacts of
racism on a person's mental well-being who experiences discrimination within society may
comprise trauma, suicidal thoughts, depression, anxiety, and emotional distress, among others
(Kaholokula et al., 2017). This has seen the psychological health of many people of color surge
as a result of discrimination and racism that they experience within society.
According to the African, American adults are twenty percent more likely to report
severe psychological distress while compared to whites' adults. Also, persons who identify
themselves as being two or more races which denote 25% are most likely to report any
The Effects of Racism on Mental Health
Introduction
There exists too much controversy concerning why some individuals have insignificant
life opportunities and particularly more impoverished experiences regarding mental health. One
explanation for this kind of racial inequalities within the mental health structure and general
society is racism. The position of racism within the society as being a cause of mental illnesses
or even being a factor leading to poor mental health has been contested within research (Berman
& Paradies, 2010). this is significantly focused on the emerging evidence even though there are
firmly held on perceptions, both by persons who do not want to discuss racism and those in need
of addressing the issue. Racism could be defined as the discrimination, prejudice, or antagonism
that is directed towards an individual of a different color or race n the basis of the belief that
one's race is more superior than the other (Salter, Adams & Perez, 2018). concerning this
definition of racism, there have been continued challenges as a result of the increased cases of
racism within the United States as well as globally. Racism has been in current times been
associated with the increased levels of stress among persons of color, which has increased the
rates of psychological health problems amongst these individuals. The potential impacts of
racism on a person's mental well-being who experiences discrimination within society may
comprise trauma, suicidal thoughts, depression, anxiety, and emotional distress, among others
(Kaholokula et al., 2017). This has seen the psychological health of many people of color surge
as a result of discrimination and racism that they experience within society.
According to the African, American adults are twenty percent more likely to report
severe psychological distress while compared to whites' adults. Also, persons who identify
themselves as being two or more races which denote 25% are most likely to report any
