Black women and COVID-19: The need for targeted mental health research and practice

Quenette L Walton; Rosalyn Denise Campbell; Joan M Blakey

doi:10.1177/1473325020973349

Black women and COVID-19: The need for targeted mental health research and practice

Qual Soc Work. 2021 Mar;20(1-2):247-255. doi: 10.1177/1473325020973349.

Authors

Quenette L Walton¹, Rosalyn Denise Campbell², Joan M Blakey³

Affiliations

¹ Graduate College of Social Work, University of Houston, Houston, USA.
² School of Social Work, University of Georgia, Athens, USA.
³ School of Social Work, Tulane University, New Orleans, USA.

Abstract

COVID-19 has significantly impacted a substantial number of Black Americans. Black women, in particular, are facing challenges financially, physically, and mentally during this unprecedented time. Between serving as frontline workers, being concerned about contracting the virus, contributing to their families financially, and worrying about their loved ones' health, Black women are experiencing great strain on their mental health and well-being. These stressors illustrate the need for social work researchers and practitioners to address Black women's mental health. This paper presents our reflections, experiences, and response to COVID-19 as Black women and scholars. Guided by our reflections and personal experiences, we put forth suggestions and reflexive thoughts for social work researchers and practitioners to prioritize Black women's mental health during and after these unprecedented times.

Keywords: Black women; COVID-19; and practice; mental health; social work research.