Houston – As we celebrate Black excellence during Black History Month, experts say it is just as important to talk honestly about mental health in the Black community. We sat down with Stella Olise, Licensed Professional Counselor with The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD.
While the season often highlights achievements and cultural impact, the numbers show a clear disparity in diagnosis, treatment, and support. According to a 2023 National Library of Medicine article titled Management of Depression in Black People: Effects of Cultural Issues, non-Hispanic Black individuals report lower rates of major depression than non-Hispanic white individuals, but it’s questioned whether current screening tools fully capture how depression shows up across cultures.
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and in 2024, according to the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, Black/African American adults were 11% less likely than U.S. adults overall to report having a mental illness in the past year and were 36% less likely than U.S. adults overall to have received mental health treatment in the past year.
Part of the challenge, professionals say, is that depression does not always look the way people expect.
Olise says traditional signs like sadness, hopelessness, and withdrawal are well known. But among the Black community, symptoms may show up differently. Irritability, frequent headaches, body aches, fatigue, and intense self-criticism can all be signs of depression. Because those symptoms do not always match the textbook definition, many patients are misdiagnosed, underdiagnosed or simply misunderstood.
Stigma also plays a major role. In many families, there is a long-standing belief that struggles should be handled privately, which often discourages open conversation.
For parents and caregivers, how the conversation starts matters. Instead of asking, “What’s wrong with you?” experts recommend leading with observation and concern. Saying, “I’ve noticed your mood has changed” or “You don’t seem like yourself lately.” Open-ended, supportive questions help young people feel safe instead of judged.
Here in Houston, the Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD offers services across Harris County regardless of a person’s ability to pay or insurance status. The center provides skills training, case management and community-based support, meeting families at home, at school or wherever they feel most comfortable.
Families can reach the Harris Center by calling 713-970-7000 or visiting harriscenter.org.