Meghan’s candor on race and mental health hits home for Black women, experts say

Meghan’s candor on race and mental health hits home for Black women, experts say

Posted on March 8, 2021

The candor Meghan Markle displayed while discussing suicidal ideation during her interview with Oprah Winfrey helped open the door for conversations about race and mental health, experts say. A combination of celebrity platform and the universal trauma of a pandemic have likely contributed to the impact of Meghan’s interview statements, said Dr. Christine Crawford, NAMI Associate Medical Director. “I think what has been the major tipping point was that more people now than ever before have actual firsthand experience as to what it's like to sit with significant depression and anxiety, and to have that in the context of people talking about mental health more, especially through social media,” Crawford said. “I’m incredibly encouraged by this.” Meghan’s comments about her struggle appeared to be mindful in that she understood her words could help further normalize conversations about mental health, particularly for women of color, Crawford said. It is important for women of color to see that even those who appear strong, successful and happy on the surface can be emotionally drained and feel that their mental health is unsupported, Crawford said. “To see these two individuals who are highly accomplished and successful, and especially one who is revealing what they've been going through ... to just see that on full display really just goes to show that even though you can carry the label as a strong Black woman you really have no idea as to what the truth is,” she said.