Addressing the Trauma of Racism from a Mental Health Perspective within the African American Community

The combined impact of police enforced fatalities and racially charged viral videos, specifically those targeting African American youth and adults, has sparked a global outcry concerning the mental health and traumatic effects of racism within the African American community. While racism in America has been considered dormant or nonexistent in the 21(st) century, it has impacted the everyday lives of African Americans since the early 1500s. This article will provide an overview of how racism creates and instigates long term traumatic effects on the mental health of African Americans with some concrete recommendations for mental well-being.