Black Women And Depression

"Black women are significantly impacted by mental health problems and yet are reluctant to acknowledge that depression is a serious, biologically-based disease," said Altha Stewart, MD, president of the American Psychiatric Foundation, a founding member of the Depression Is Real Coalition.

According to a survey conducted by Mental Health America, 63 percent of people in the African American community believe depression is a personal weakness, while only 31 percent believe it is a medical health problem.

Depression disproportionately impacts black women:

- Depression among black women is almost 50% higher than it is among white women.

- Of black women suffering from depression, only 7% receive treatment compared to 20% of white women.

- Black women are twice as more likely to suffer from depression than black men.

Source: PR Newswire