The holiday season is often portrayed as a time of laughter, love, and togetherness. Yet, for many African Americans, it can also be a season shadowed by unique stressors—including racial trauma, financial strain, and the emotional weight of systemic injustice (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [HHS], 2025). Scholars in Black psychology emphasize that these stressors are not merely individual experiences but are deeply connected to historical and structural inequities that shape mental health across the African diaspora (Barnett, 2016; Burlew, 2009).
Despite these challenges, hope and joy are not out of reach. With mindful, culturally grounded strategies and strong community connections, the holidays can still be a time of healing, reflection, and resilience.
A Personal Story: Striving for Joy Amid Systemic Challenges
Kentucky Colonel Serena Owen, the first African American councilwoman elected twice to the Elsmere City Council, reflects that the holidays represent togetherness and unity within her family and community, a pause from law studies at Northern Kentucky University, and opportunities to celebrate life with loved ones. Yet, she also acknowledges that the holiday season does not shield African Americans from systemic racism, disability injustice, or inequities within public institutions.
Owen recounts facing discrimination in local government spaces where safety concerns, hostility, and denial of accommodations disproportionately affected her as a legislator of color, despite medical documentation and formal requests under the Americans with Disabilities Act. These experiences highlight the psychological toll of racialized stress during a season often idealized as joyful.
Despite these challenges, Owen remains committed to serving others through food distribution, tutoring, faith leadership, and more than 30 years of community advocacy across Kentucky. Her story reflects resilience rooted in collective care, faith, and purpose—principles central to Afrocentric models of wellness (Myers, 1988).
Understanding the Unique Mental Health Challenges
African Americans are approximately 20% more likely to experience serious psychological distress than the general population, a disparity that can intensify during the holidays (HHS, 2025). Kevin Cokley’s (2013) research demonstrates that persistent exposure to discrimination can lead to impostor feelings, anxiety, and depression—even among high-achieving individuals.
Mindful Strategies for Managing Holiday Stress
Mindfulness for African Americans must extend beyond individual relaxation techniques to include culturally, spiritually, and community-centered practices (Myers, 1988; Barnett, 2016). These include acknowledging emotions, setting healthy boundaries, engaging in culturally grounded self-care, recognizing stress responses in the body (Cooke, 2018), and seeking culturally competent support (National Alliance on Mental Illness [NAMI], 2025).
The Power of Community and Tradition & When to Seek Help
Healing within African American communities is deeply collective. Volunteering, faith-based service, and intentional gathering reinforce purpose, connection, and hope during the holidays (Barnett, 2016; NAACP, 2025).
If distress becomes overwhelming, immediate support is essential. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available for anyone experiencing an emotional crisis.
The holidays can be emotionally complex, but through mindful awareness, cultural grounding, and community care, African Americans can reclaim the season as a time of resilience, reflection, and hope.
References
Barnett, D. (2016). Racial trauma and mental health in Black communities. Association of Black Psychologists.
Burlew, K. (2009). Research on substance use and treatment among African Americans. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 35(5), 1–8.
Cooke, B. (2018). Epigenomic awareness as a key to Black mental health. Journal ofPan African Studies, 11(9), 45–60.
Cokley, K., McClain, S., Enciso, A., & Martinez, M. (2013). An examination of the impact of minority status stress and impostor feelings on mental health. Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, 41(2), 82–95.
Myers, L. J. (1988). Understanding an Afrocentric worldview: Introduction to an optimal psychology. Kendall/Hunt.
National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2025). Finding culturally competent support. https://www.nami.org
NAACP. (2025). Connecting with community during the holidays. https://www.naacp.org
Photo by Siegfried Poepperl on Unsplash
Photo by Angela Taylor on Unsplash
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health. (2025). Mental and behavioral health: African Americans. https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. (2025). https://988lifeline.org
