Racism and Anxiety: What's the connection?

While we live in a world that aspires to be inclusive and equitable, racism still thrives, casting a shadow over countless lives.

Beyond its most obvious consequences, racism takes a profound and often hidden toll on mental health.

Mounting evidence suggests that one of the psychological repercussions of racism — in subtle and systemic forms — is anxiety, one of several symptoms associated with racial trauma.

This infographic explores the intersection of racism and various anxiety-related disorders, and where mental health research is needed.

Anxiety disorders in women: Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health disorder in the United States and Canada. Furthermore, data show that for Black women, anxiety is more chronic and the symptoms more intense than their White peers.

Racial trauma: Racism is a form of trauma that disproportionality affects Black women and men. It can take various forms, including direct racism, systemic racism, and subtle racism referred to as microaggressions. 

The data shown here are based on a review article authored by Monnica Williams, a clinical psychologist who studies the role of discrimination on behavior and mental health. Williams is Professor in the School of Psychology at the University of Ottawa and holds a Canada Research Chair in Mental Health Disparities.

Related stories:

Clinical psychologist Monnica Williams spoke to wmnHealth about the need for culturally competent mental health care and the collection of race-based data. Read her comments in:

"The New Spectrum of Mental Health Care"

"Taking Off the Blinders"