Impacts of Police Brutality on the Mental Health of Black Americans
What Is a Mental Health Crisis?
The term "mental health crisis" describes a situation in which an individual’s mental health is profoundly altered, creating severe difficulty coping with the world. This can happen in the short or long-term and affects a person’s ability to function healthily.
A mental health crisis happens when someone’s thoughts, emotions, or actions become so unmanageable they may cause harm to themselves or others. As a result, one may have difficulty with daily living, such as getting in and out of bed, showering, eating, etc., healthily and functionally.
The causes of a mental health crisis can vary from person to person. Still, one is often brought on by feeling overwhelmed, isolated, having conflicts at home, work, or within relationships, and exposure to trauma and experiencing violence directly or vicariously. Environmental stress (within our communities and systems) is often the most significant contributor to a mental health crisis. Racism and police brutality in the United States profoundly affect Black Americans and People of Color, and these communities are experiencing a collective mental health crisis.
Police Brutality
Police brutality against Black people and other People of Color refers to various human rights waves of abuse, including excessive use of force and abuse of power by law enforcement directed collectively towards individuals from these communities.
To define it for this article, police violence is the continued and ongoing acts of harassment, threat, outright attack, beating, and murder by the police that are influenced by others’ perceived race.
Activists and people who are Black and Brown are targeted most often in the United States. This is not solely a human rights issue; this is a leading cause of ongoing anxiety and trauma experienced in Black communities.
Racism and the sustained attacks against communities of color are critical society-wide mental health issues and need to be treated as such.
The highest prevalence of PTSD is within the Black community, and one does not need to look far to understand why. The lifetime prevalence of PTSD among Blacks is 8.7% (1).
Police brutality and ongoing violence targeting the Black community are not new. 2020 shined a long overdue spotlight on this with George Floyd’s murder and the subsequent uprising and protests. Social media has played a significant role in bringing this well-known fact experienced by the Black community to the white/European mainstream eye. Still, police have been targeting Black people since they were forced to leave their homeland to become hostages (enslaved) in the United States. At its inception, the police force was used to capture hostages who had escaped torture. The police force was there to protect the human traffickers’ (enslavers’) property and land. The police were then known as the slave patrols and date back to the 1700s. This article could not begin to fully capture the longstanding and gruesome history of the police force in the United States. For those who want to dive deeper into this history, we suggest starting with the NAACP’s The Origins of Modern-Day Policing (2). We will be using this source and its data throughout this article.
As we can see, if we are willing to look, police brutality is rooted in systemic racism and often leads to harm, injury, or death to those who are part of the Black community. Unfortunately, black people are forced to reckon with this reality daily.
If an individual has to continually consider what could happen to them as they walk outside their door, or, as we saw with Breonna Taylor, are sleeping peacefully in their beds inside their homes and are still not safe, this ongoing attack on one’s mind and emotions can and does cause anxiety, depression, and trauma. This disturbing reality has all the makings to create a sustained mental health crisis.
Black and Brown people in America contend daily with a system that creates and sustains a collective trauma. From a behavioral health lens, we are in a severe mental health crisis. This crisis can improve IF we dismantle the systems that threaten the lives of innocent Black people. There is a desperately needed shift in the current narrative of who is safe in America.
Throughout our nation’s evolution, we have gathered enough evidence of police targeting and killing innocent Black and Brown people to know that it is, in fact, Black and Brown people who are not safe here. Not the other way around.
Dismantling the current policing system is not a radical notion. All one needs to do is understand who the police have been trained to protect to see the holes in a system purported to be one that “protects and serves.” Policing in America forces countless Black Americans to teach their young children what to do if they are pulled over one day. This safety precaution, a necessary step Black Americans must take to avoid death over a simple traffic stop violation, hopefully instills an understandable fear from a young age.
Black children are barely given a chance to survive, let alone thrive in our America, given the massive inequities in education and healthcare.
As mental health providers, we need to see the reality of police brutality as a significant contributor to the mental health crisis faced by the Black community. Statistics speak for themselves. According to The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), a peer-reviewed journal of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), “Police violence is a leading cause of death for young men in the United States. Over the life course, about 1 in every 1,000 black men can expect to be killed by police. Risk of being killed by police peaks between the ages of 20 y and 35 y for men and women and all racial and ethnic groups. Black women and men and American Indian and Alaska Native women and men are significantly more likely than white women and men to be killed by police. Latino men are also more likely to be killed by police than are white men." (3).
Facts About Police Brutality
Police use of excessive force is a persistent problem in the United States, particularly against Black people and People of Color.
According to the Mapping Police Violence database, over 1,000 people are killed by police in the US each year. In addition, black people are more likely to experience police violence than white people, even when controlling for crime rates (4).
Police officers often use unnecessary or excessive force in low-level incidents, such as traffic stops or minor offenses.
Police brutality can have long-lasting physical, psychological, and economic consequences for victims and their families.
Police departments often have limited accountability mechanisms in place to address incidents of police brutality, and officers are rarely held accountable for their actions.
Police brutality can erode trust and cooperation between law enforcement and communities, making it more difficult for officers to do their jobs effectively and for communities to receive the necessary services and protection.
A lack of training and resources for officers, as well as a lack of diversity and cultural competency within law enforcement, can contribute to incidents of police brutality.
What Are Examples of Police Brutality Towards Black People?
There are numerous examples of police brutality against Black people, including:
George Floyd: A Minneapolis police officer killed George Floyd in May 2020, sparking nationwide protests and a larger conversation about systemic racism and police brutality. (5)
Eric Garner: Eric Garner died in July 2014 after a New York City police officer put him in a chokehold. His death was ruled a homicide, and the officer was not charged. (6)
Freddie Gray: Freddie Gray died in April 2015 after sustaining a spinal injury while in police custody in Baltimore. His death sparked protests and a larger conversation about police brutality and the treatment o’s treatment of Black people. (7)
Breonna Taylor: Breonna Taylor was shot and killed by Louisville police officers in March 2020 in her home, leading to protests and calls for criminal justice reform. (8)
Sandra Bland: Sandra Bland died in a Texas jail in July 2015 after being arrested during a routine traffic stop. Her death was ruled a suicide, but many believe she was the victim of police brutality. (9)
These cases are, unfortunately, only a few recent examples of police brutality against Black people. The history of violence against Black and Brown people in the United States extends to our country’s beginnings. This country was built by and on the bodies of Black and Brown people. Countless millions of Black and Brown people have died at the hands of the state. And sadly, the trend of Black people being targeted and killed by police only seems to be increasing. (10)
Causes of Police Brutality
There are several causes of police brutality in America, particularly against the Black community, including:
Systemic Racism: Racism has been deeply embedded in the fabric of American society, including in its institutions such as law enforcement. This often leads to racial profiling and discriminatory treatment of People of Color, particularly Black people, by police officers. (11)
Lack of accountability: Police officers are often not held accountable for their actions, which can lead to a culture of impunity and a disregard for the well-being of those they are supposed to serve and protect (12). Qualified Immunity protects police officers from being charged with crimes against others (13).
Lack of training: Many police officers receive inadequate de-escalation tactics, cultural competency, and crisis management training. This can lead to officers using excessive force or misbehaving in situations that could be handled differently (14).
Militarization of law enforcement: The militarization of law enforcement, including the use of military equipment and tactics by police, can lead to a more aggressive and violent approach to policing. (15)
Historical trauma: The history of slavery, Jim Crow laws, and ongoing systemic racism have contributed to a deep mistrust of law enforcement in Black communities, which can exacerbate tensions between Black communities and the police.
These causes contribute to a more significant systemic issue. Therefore, they must be addressed to prevent police brutality and ensure that all people are treated with dignity and equality by the police.
How Unjust Police Killings Collectively Damage Mental Health
The killings of black men, women, and transgender individuals by police is an issue that has received widespread public attention. However, the fact that these crimes have happened so often and with such little outcry from the public is alarming.
The issue of police brutality is critical, and its adverse effects ripple outward. It affects victims, their families, communities, and those who hear about these incidents. This can lead to mental health issues and vicarious trauma for those directly and indirectly involved.
Police brutality damages mental health for several reasons. Firstly, it can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), common in those who experience violence or trauma at any age. Secondly, it can cause depression and anxiety disorders. Thirdly, it can cause abnormal stress responses in the body that affect blood pressure and heart rate, leading to heart disease or stroke later in life. Lastly, it can and often does make people feel unsafe in their communities; they worry about being another target.
A study by researchers at the University of California San Francisco examined how witnessing a police killing affects mental health. The study found that people who live in communities where there are more police killings are more likely to experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety than those who live in communities where there are fewer police killings. (15)
The researchers also found that people who experience more frequent police killings are more likely to have difficulty sleeping, eat less, or skip meals altogether; they are also more likely to feel hopeless and helpless about their situation.
It also suggests that when people see other members of society being killed by police officers--whether it's a friend, family member, or simply a fellow Person of Color--it can have a lasting impact on their mental health and well-being.
Impact of Police Brutality on Society
Police brutality not only impacts those who are targeted, but it can also have significant and lasting impacts on society at large, including:
Loss of trust and cooperation: Unjust police brutality can lead to a loss of trust and collaboration between law enforcement and the communities they serve, particularly among Communities of Color.
Increased tension and unrest: Incidents of unjust police brutality can increase tension and unrest within communities, potentially leading to protests, riots, and other forms of social unrest.
Economic harm: Unjust police brutality can harm local economies by decreasing tourism, investment, and consumer spending, as well as increasing costs associated with the police response and civil unrest.
Weakened democracy: Unjust police brutality undermines the principles of democracy by violating individual rights and freedoms and eroding public trust in government institutions.
Racial and ethnic divides: Unjust police brutality can reinforce racial and ethnic divides, exacerbating existing social and political tensions.
To address the many negative impacts of police brutality on society, it is critical to implement police reform, increase accountability and transparency in law enforcement, and prioritize community-oriented policing strategies that promote trust and cooperation. Ultimately, considering dismantling the current system for one that is genuinely focused on improved mental health outcomes and serving everyone may be the best next step in creating a more just and fair system of safety.
Conclusion
Police brutality profoundly affects all of us, but specific communities are unjustly impacted. Historically, People of Color, particularly Black people, have been the victims and survivors of police brutality. In addition, indigenous and other minority groups, including LGBTQ+ individuals, have been subjected to police violence. Unhoused individuals, those with mental health issues, and those living in low-income communities are also at increased risk of police brutality.
Change is possible. Change is so needed. We can fix this problem if we work together as one unified community--and we can start by educating ourselves about what causes violence against our beloved community so that we can recognize signs before it happens again! Those of us with privilege are responsible for standing up and speaking up. Decent law enforcement officers should be challenging and rebuilding this broken system that further traumatizes those with Black and Brown skin.
First They Came, by Pastor Martin Niemoller
First, they came for the Communists, and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist.
Then they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me, and no one was left to speak for me.
References:
1. Roberts, A. L.., Roberts, A. L.. and Gilman, S. E.., Gilman, S. E.. and Breslau, J.., Breslau, J.. and Breslau, N.. and Koenen, K. C.. (2011). Race/ethnic differences in exposure to traumatic events, development of post-traumatic stress disorder, and treatment-seeking for post-traumatic stress disorder in the United States. [online] ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3097040/#:~:text=The%20lifetime%20prevalence%20of%20PTSD,varied%20by%20type%20of%20event. [Accessed 1 Jan. 1970].
2. The Origins of Modern Day Policing. [online] naacp.org. Available at: https://naacp.org/find-resources/history-explained/origins-modern-day-policing [Accessed 1 Jan. 1970].
3. Edwards, F., Edwards, F. and Lee, H. and Esposito, M. Risk of being killed by police use of force in the United States by age, race–ethnicity, and sex. [online] pnas.org. Available at: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1821204116 [Accessed 1 Jan. 1970].
4.Mapping Police Violence. [online] mappingpoliceviolence.org. Available at: https://mappingpoliceviolence.org/ [Accessed 1 Jan. 1970].
5. George Floyd is killed by a police officer, igniting historic protests. [online] history.com. Available at: https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/george-floyd-killed-by-police-officer [Accessed 1 Jan. 1970].
6. Eric Garner dies in NYPD chokehold. [online] history.com. Available at: https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/eric-garner-dies-nypd-chokehold [Accessed 1 Jan. 1970].
7. Justice for Eric Garner and the Urgent Need for Police Accountability | NAACP. [online] naacp.org. Available at: https://naacp.org/resources/justice-eric-garner-and-urgent-need-police-accountability [Accessed 1 Jan. 1970].
8. Baltimore Officers Will Face No Federal Charges in Death of Freddie Gray - The New York Times. [online] nytimes.com. Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/12/us/freddie-gray-baltimore-police-federal-charges.html [Accessed 1 Jan. 1970].
9. (2023). Number of people shot to death by the police in the United States from 2017 to 2023, by race. [online] statista.com. Available at: https://www.statista.com/statistics/585152/people-shot-to-death-by-us-police-by-race/ [Accessed 1 Jan. 1970].
10. The Sandra Bland Video: What We Know - The New York Times. [online] nytimes.com. Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/07/us/sandra-bland-brian-encinia.html [Accessed 1 Jan. 1970].
11. AMA policy recognizes police brutality as product of structural racism | American Medical Association. [online] ama-assn.org. Available at: https://www.ama-assn.org/press-center/press-releases/ama-policy-recognizes-police-brutality-product-structural-racism [Accessed 1 Jan. 1970].
12. What are the Main Causes of Police Brutality?. [online] spanglaw.com. Available at: https://www.spanglaw.com/blog/2020/december/what-are-the-main-causes-of-police-brutality-/ [Accessed 1 Jan. 1970].
13. Qualified Immunity. [online] ncsl.org. Available at: https://www.ncsl.org/civil-and-criminal-justice/qualified-immunity#:~:text=The%20Supreme%20Court%20has%20held,use%20of%20force%20was%20excessive. [Accessed 1 Jan. 1970].
14. Police Militarization | American Civil Liberties Union. [online] aclu.org. Available at: https://www.aclu.org/issues/criminal-law-reform/reforming-police/police-militarization [Accessed 1 Jan. 1970].
15. Police Brutality's Impact on Black and Brown Mental Health | pretermbirthca.ucsf.edu. [online] pretermbirthca.ucsf.edu. Available at: https://pretermbirthca.ucsf.edu/news/police-brutalitys-impact-black-and-brown-mental-health [Accessed 1 Jan. 1970].