In the middle of a virtual Zoom call, a moment of tranquillity appeared to descend over the participants. Though everyone was in their own space, there was a collective exhale, one of relief and release. It was as if the dance they engaged in, which was only made up of four simple movements, had lifted an emotional weight imperceptible to those who were carrying it. What began as a focus group discussion on mental health and well-being with women from black and ethnic minority backgrounds evolved into a practical session. These women had kindly given up their time to share their perspectives to help me develop a project aimed at supporting women and girls with their mental health. As the session progressed and introductory reflective questions unfolded, it became clear that beneath the polite surface of smiles, each participant was silently struggling with various forms of stress. They voiced feelings of lethargy, fatigue, anxiety, sadness and grief. This focus group had unwittingly provided them with a moment to pause and reconnect with their bodies, and become aware of the relentless pace they had been maintaining. The visible impact the dance had on the participants is what has prompted my exploration into why - and how - movement, even in its simplest form, can enhance mental well-being, particularly in communities that experience systemic racism and racial trauma.
Research has consistently shown that regular exercise has many mental health benefits, and can improve the overall quality of life. It lessens non-clinical depression and helps people regulate their emotions and manage stress better, enabling them to have greater emotional self-control. It has even been associated with higher levels of intelligence, increased attention spans and improved memory. However, the pandemic meant that a majority of people had to remain indoors, spending more time working from home, watching TV and various streaming platforms, or scrolling through social media platforms. Ultimately, the public’s lives became centred on activities that had them sitting down throughout most of the day, and this collective shift to sedentary behaviours has been linked with higher levels of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.
For marginalised communities, there is an intersection between the health implications of a sedentary lifestyle and the broader impacts of systemic racism and socioeconomic disparities. For instance, studies have shown that stress-inducing factors can include experiences of racism, financial struggles, and the challenges of cultural adaptation. The detrimental effects of racism extend far beyond prejudice, profoundly affecting individuals’ health, and contributing to conditions such as high blood pressure. It also impacts levels of confidence, self-esteem and mental well-being. This is an alarming reality, given that statistics show that more than half of young black and minority ethnics experience racism at work and almost all Black British students experience racism in schools. Consequently, individuals’ concentration and focus are impacted, making it harder for them to achieve academic and professional success. These experiences exacerbate stress and anxiety and amplify health disparities.
As such, it becomes imperative to explore the profound impact of race on life outcomes and its role as a significant barrier to health, as well as its connections to socioeconomic progress. These elements are interlinked, perpetuating cycles of inequity and hindering efforts for societal fairness and justice. In practical terms, individuals affected by these dynamics may experience a decline in positive mental health characteristics such as resilience, hope, and motivation. They may also face a higher likelihood of having to manage chronic conditions like heart and kidney disease. Experiences of discrimination are also associated with higher rates of smoking, alcohol consumption, drug use, and unhealthy eating habits, worsening overall health problems.
Despite the compounding effects and worse health and mental health outcomes overall for black and ethnic minorities, individuals from those communities are less likely to engage in physical activities or obtain mental health support. However, the barriers to physical activity for these communities extend beyond personal choice—they are also deeply rooted in structural inequalities that limit access to resources, opportunities, and supportive environments. Financial constraints, the necessity to juggle multiple jobs and family responsibilities, and a lack of inclusion in well-being spaces, are just some of the factors that make it increasingly difficult for individuals to prioritise their health, all of which are implicitly tied to racial background and socioeconomic status.
But amidst these challenges lies the potential for collective action and awareness-raising. Both individuals and wider society must recognise how movement can play an important role in improving mental health. However, it’s also important to address the systemic barriers that make it challenging for individuals from varying backgrounds, to access physical activity and mental healthcare. It is these same barriers that perpetuate the experiences creating such significant disparities in mental health. Initiatives aimed at promoting community-based exercise programs, culturally tailored interventions, and advocacy for inclusive healthcare policies can play a pivotal role in addressing mental health inequalities. Achieving this requires a multifaceted approach that takes into account how social, economic, and environmental factors are interwoven. And, ultimately, dismantling structural barriers, advocating for equitable access to healthcare services, and cultivating culturally competent mental health support systems. Moreover, it necessitates amplifying diverse voices and experiences in discussions around mental health, ensuring that marginalised communities are heard, valued and empowered to participate in co-creating the mechanisms for healing.
At the individual level, many are unaware of the scale of race and racism’s effect on their wellbeing. People affected may blame themselves for not performing well at school, at work, or may find it hard to be fully present in their personal lives, leading to significant emotional strain. A key means of counteracting this is to cultivate a culture of self-care, which involves prioritising movement and physical activity as important components of daily life, irrespective of one's cultural or socioeconomic background. Additionally, seeking out, or co-creating supportive communities and resources that prioritize mental health and well-being can provide vital avenues for healing and the overall improvement of well-being. However, addressing mental health challenges isn't solely an individual responsibility, as systemic injustices continue to produce these triggering experiences, that become ingrained in daily life. Ultimately, achieving mental health equity requires a concerted effort to dismantle systemic injustices.