E3.02 - Oral: Black Women's Mental Health During COVID-19 and Racial Injustice Crises

Brief Abstract Summary: This photovoice study examined Black women's mental health experiences during the intersecting crises of COVID-19 and racial injustice. Through six virtual sessions, 10 Black women in North Carolina documented and discussed their experiences using photography. Results revealed complex challenges including racial trauma, stereotyping, and heightened fear during daily activities. Despite these stressors, participants demonstrated remarkable resilience, developing various coping strategies to protect their mental health. They advocated for systemic changes, including expanded mental health resources and increased representation of Black therapists. The findings emphasize the critical need to address structural racism before future public health crises and develop culturally responsive mental health interventions that acknowledge Black women's unique experiences and resilience.

Detailed abstract description:

Background: Black women have faced the duality of racial discrimination and inequities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, Black women experienced the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 coupled with the "new Civil Rights era," underscoring the systemic violence and inequities impacting Black Americans. By implementing photovoice, a participatory research method, this study highlighted how Black women navigated their mental health during the pandemic while also experiencing racial and social injustices.


Methods: We conducted six virtual photovoice sessions with 10 Black women from North Carolina. Participants generated four photo assignments, took photos individually to represent each assignment, and shared and discussed their images using the photovoice SHOWED methodology. Each discussion was recorded and analyzed using the grounded theory through which each participant supported the development of the codebook and findings.

Results: The study revealed multi-layered challenges faced by diverse Black women at multiple stages of life. The findings highlighted compounded stressors: racial trauma, stereotyping, marginalization, and fear during everyday activities. Participants demonstrated adaptability, employing diverse coping strategies to safeguard their mental health. Participants advocated for systemic reforms to safeguard people of color against future public health crises, expanded mental health support, and increased representation of Black therapists.

Conclusion: This research underscores the urgent need to address structural racism before the next public health crisis and expand culturally responsive mental health interventions. It also highlights the resilience and adaptive coping mechanisms employed by Black women when facing the multiple intersecting challenges posed by the dual pandemics of COVID-19 and increased racial violence.