Mental health challenges affect every community, but many African American adults continue to face them without support. For some, talking about stress, anxiety, depression or substance use still feels uncomfortable. Others worry they won’t be understood. The result is that many people keep pushing through difficult symptoms on their own.

Getting help is not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of taking care of yourself — because the earlier support starts, the easier recovery can be.

The numbers paint a clear picture

Each year, about one in five African American adults reports symptoms of a mental health condition. Anxiety, depression and overwhelming stress are among the most common concerns. More than 4% experience a serious mental illness that interferes with daily life, work or relationships.

Substance use concerns are also common. Millions of people nationwide live with a substance use disorder, but only a small fraction ever receive treatment. Many African American adults report waiting months or even years to ask for help because they worry about what others might think.

These conditions are common, treatable and nothing to be ashamed of.

Why many people still hesitate to seek care

A long-standing culture of resilience can make it harder to reach out. Many African American adults grew up hearing messages like “keep pushing,” “don’t talk about personal problems” or “handle it on your own.” Those ideas were meant to protect families, but today they can make someone feel like asking for help is a burden.

Common reasons people hold back include:

• Wanting to appear strong
  People often feel pressure to handle everything themselves.
• Worry about being judged
  Concerns about stigma or misunderstanding can keep someone from starting a conversation.
• Feeling unsure where to begin
  If you’ve never talked to a therapist before, the process can feel unfamiliar.
• Putting others first
  Caregivers often put their own mental health last even when symptoms affect their daily lives.
• Not seeing providers who feel relatable
  When people don’t see therapists, psychiatrists or nurse practitioners who look like them or share their lived experiences, it can make opening up feel harder.
• Limited access to care
  For many minority populations, the biggest barrier isn’t willingness — it’s access. African American adults experience some of the highest rates of mental illness yet the lowest rates of treatment. That gap often comes from fewer nearby providers, long wait times, transportation limitations, insurance challenges or a lack of culturally responsive care. These barriers — not a lack of interest in treatment — are often what prevent people from getting help.

Willowbrooke at Tanner works to bridge this gap by offering multiple entry points for care, including walk-in urgent care services and free confidential mental health screenings, helping reduce some of the most common access barriers for minority communities.

The cost of waiting

Untreated mental health conditions rarely improve on their own. Over time, symptoms can grow stronger and begin to affect physical health. Stress, sleep problems and anxiety can also make chronic conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes harder to manage.

Reaching out early can prevent symptoms from becoming overwhelming.

Why treatment is worth it

Mental health care is not about changing who you are. It’s about helping you feel better, find balance and get back to the things that matter. Treatment can:

• Reduce stress and improve mood
  • Strengthen relationships
  • Support long-term recovery from substance use
  • Improve sleep, energy and overall well-being
  • Help you feel more in control of daily life

You deserve care that listens and understands your experiences.

When you're ready, help is here

You don’t have to wait for things to get worse before seeking support. Willowbrooke at Tanner offers free confidential mental health screenings to help you understand what you’re experiencing and explore next steps.

For a free confidential screening, call 770-812-3266.

If you need immediate help, visit Willowbrooke Urgent Care for Mental Health and Substance Use, 20 Herrell Road, Suite 1, Villa Rica, Georgia. No appointment necessary.

Learn more: WillowbrookeUrgentCare.org

Taking the first step is often the hardest, but you don’t have to take it alone. Your well-being matters — and support is here whenever you’re ready.