Three people happily jumping and getting mental health support in Georgia.

Yes, Georgia is racially diverse.

The people of Georgia come from a variety of backgrounds and races, which is one of the reasons for its rich history. In addition to being culturally diverse, Georgians have also been able to retain many of the customs from their countries of origin. Right now, about 44% of the state's population is Black or other People of Color. 30% of Georgia’s population identify as Black (compared to 12% nationally). This means nearly 8% of all Black people in the United States live in Georgia. The Hispanic community accounts for 8% of the population in Georgia (1).

As diverse as this state is, racism persists in Georgia, as it does throughout the United States. Racism takes many forms, including through gerrymandering, housing discrimination, employment, healthcare, education, and the criminal justice system. In Georgia, Black folx and other historically excluded groups continue to face discrimination and racism, which leads to disparities in areas such as income, education, and health.

It is important for individuals, and society as a whole, to acknowledge the existence of racism and to take steps to address and combat it. This can include educating oneself about racism and its effects, speaking out against racist behavior and policies, and working to decenter the white/European experience and create inclusion in all areas of society.

A chessboard that represents racial diversity in Georgia.

Effects of Racism on One's Mental Health

Racism has significant impacts on a person’s mental health. Those who experience racism often feel a range of emotions, including anger, fear, and sadness, which can lead to mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression and C-PTSD/PTSD. For those who are familiar with the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) study, we know that racism can and does also affect a person's physical health and lead to stress-related illnesses such as high blood pressure and heart disease. If that is not enough, a 2023 study found “Black Americans in the United States are disproportionately exposed to childhood adversity compared with white Americans. Such disparities may contribute to race-related differences in brain structures involved in regulating the emotional response to stress, such as the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex (PFC). The authors investigated neuroanatomical consequences of racial disparities in adversity.” (2).

Experiencing racism can lead to feelings of isolation, hopelessness, and helplessness and can negatively impact a person's self-esteem, self-worth, and sense of identity. Furthermore, racism can impact one's sense of belonging, community, and connection to others. It can also lead to a lack of trust in institutions and systems, leading to further marginalization and feelings of powerlessness. Understandably so, racism can also lead to a lack of engagement within health care systems, mistrust of the police, and reluctance to use public services in general.

People should recognize that racism is not simply an individual problem that only some people experience, but a societal one, that we are all deeply embedded into. Racism requires collective action to address and combat. Those who experience racism should seek out professional help, support from friends and family, and resources to help them cope with the effects of racism on their daily lives and mental health.

A woman and child peacefully hugging each other hoping for improved mental health in Georgia.

What Does the State of Georgia Do to Improve the Mental Health of Its Black Population?

The state of Georgia has taken some steps to improve the mental health of Black people, but there is still much work to be done. Some of the actions that have been taken include:

Increasing funding for mental health services: The state has allocated additional funds to improve access to mental health services for Black communities.
Expanding Medicaid coverage: The state is planning to partially expand Medicaid coverage to make it easier for low-income individuals to access mental health services. (2) The plan to expand was granted in 2020 during the Trump administration but because of the pandemic, disruptions could make it difficult to satisfy the work requirement in maintaining coverage.(3)
Increasing cultural competency: The state has taken steps to increase cultural competency among mental health professionals by providing training and education on cultural sensitivity to ensure that the services provided are more inclusive and responsive to the needs of Black communities. (4)
Increasing the number of mental health professionals: The state has also been working to increase the number of mental health professionals, particularly those from historically excluded communities. (5)

Despite these efforts, there is still a long way to go to ensure that all Black residents of Georgia have access to the mental health care they need and deserve. The disparities and discrimination that exists in society continue to affect Black communities disproportionately. This injustice requires sustained efforts to address root causes and ensure that mental health services are accessible, affordable, and truly culturally responsive to the needs of Black communities.

With such issues persisting, and severely limited access to mental health care services for and by Black, Indigenous and other People of Color, the Phoenix Rising Centers is here to shift that narrative and provide support and resources for individuals and communities who have been historically excluded. One does not need to look far to see that anywhere from 80-90% of mental health providers are from white/European backgrounds. We are flipping that narrative on its head: 80-90% of our providers are Black, Indigenous and other People of Color. And we’ll continue to centralize the mental healthcare needs of these communities!

Ana Mena and Carla Odeyini Phoenix Rising Centers mental health providers in Georgia discussing CBT and therapeutic techniques.

If you're looking for a mental health provider in Georgia, look no further than those on our Georgia team. Currently, we are proud to have Laura Evans, Samuel Jones, Ana Mena and Carla Odeniyi on staff.

Laura Evans specializes in working with people who have experienced Racial Trauma, anxiety and depression. Laura offers individualized sessions as well as group sessions that can help individuals feel better about themselves and their place in society.

Samuel Jones, another Psychotherapist in Georgia, helps individuals and couples navigate life transitions and relationship issues. His approach to therapy includes Acceptance and Commitment therapy and other cognitive behavioral approaches. He enjoys working with Black men to help in coping with what it means to be a Black man in America today.

Carla Odeniyi is a Board Certified Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) who offers medication supports for those who need them, and has a wide variety of experience applying therapeutic techniques to help her clients.

Ana Mena, another mental health provider in Georgia, enjoys working with students, immigrants, women and those adjusting to life changes. Her clinical approaches include Psychodynamic/Insight, talk therapy, solution focused as well CBT.

If you live in Georgia and have been made to feel like an outsider, or if you've struggled socially or academically and are struggling with maintaining your mental health, our Georgia mental health providers are here to help you address the root causes and give you the support you need, now.

We’re here for you. You don’t have to do this alone!