Say Their Names - The Impact of Police Brutality on Mental Health
Sonya Massey.
She was a 36-year-old, mother, daughter, friend and a beautiful Black woman who was tragically killed in her home at the hands of police officer Sean Grayson.
The Story of Sonya Massey
***Trigger Warning***
On July 6, 2024, Massey had contacted 911 due to a suspected prowler at her home. Body cam footage released showed that Grayson (one of two officers present) had yelled at Massey to put down a pot of hot water, threatening to harm her, after asking her to remove the pot from the stove. Massey had ducked down briefly, and when rose back up, was shot 3 times at the hand of Grayson.
Unsurprisingly, this story has gained attention through the news and social media platforms over the past few weeks, highlighting how Massey’s tragic murder is another example of police brutality in the Black community. Massey should’ve felt safe in her home and her story reminds us of the concerns and experiences the Black community faces. It is evident that acts of violence and police brutality need to be stopped.
Grayson has been charged with murder, however, there is still much work to be done.
Massey’s story, like many, has significant negative impacts on mental health, and continues to demonstrate the need for mental health resources in the Black community.
Police brutality is a pervasive issue that Black people and other people of color have continued to face, which has had a detrimental impact on the mental health of families connected to victims as well as the Black community at large. Research continues to demonstrate the importance and need for mental health resources in communities exposed to police brutality.
It is integral to have open, honest conversations about the violence that the Black community continues to face in order to advocate for change, spread knowledge about available resources, and hopefully decrease the victims of police brutality.
Defining Police Brutality
Police brutality is defined as excessive and unwarranted use of force by law enforcement against an individual or a group. It is an extreme form of police misconduct and is a civil rights violation.
Some examples of police brutality include:
Psychological violence and intimidation
Neglect
Verbal abuse
Physical abuse
Sexual violence
Links to Mental Health
Exposure to police brutality has been linked to many different negative mental health outcomes. Unfortunately, BIPOC communities are more often exposed to police brutality, and research shows that this can lead to mistrust in health care settings, meaning individuals are less likely to seek the necessary supports.
Some of the most common mental health struggles include, but are not limited to:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Depression
Anxiety
Other Stress Disorders
Furthermore, a study completed in the United States in 2019, found that police had killed 235 Black individuals, and because of the impacts, 55 million poor mental health days were taken off in relation to police brutality. Alongside this, it was found that police brutality was linked to greater vigilance.
While social media increases awareness of police brutality, it also can impact individuals' mental health and lead to desensitization. Social media can expose individuals to graphic displays of violence, and this is why it is important that these posts have trigger warnings attached. Furthermore, this can lead to vicarious trauma, also known as secondary trauma, which is the experience of symptoms of trauma that results from witnessing or hearing about traumatic events. This can create feelings of grief, sadness, anxiety, depression, and physical symptoms such as headaches. It is evident there is a need for access to mental health care and resources for individuals exposed to police brutality, however, some strategies to mitigate the effects of secondary trauma include:
Connecting with other individuals for emotional support.
Practicing self-compassion.
Setting time limits on social media or news apps.
Ensuring news sources are quality and reputable sources.
Engaging in positive actions like advocacy or donating where possible.
Seeking out therapy.
If You’re Struggling:
If you’re struggling with the impacts of police brutality, it is essential to prioritize your mental health as much as possible. Here are a few strategies to try:
1) Utilize mental wellness resources: Below is a list of Black-owned resources:
2) Reach out for professional support: Ensure that you’re accessing a culturally responsive practitioner. If a therapist of color would enhance your comfort levels, consider the following directories:
3) Reach out to your community: It can be easy to isolate ourselves when we’re exposed to Black violence. Community care is an essential practice during these experiences.
4) Ensure a balance between advocacy and self-care: When an injustice occurs, it’s perfectly normal to have the desire to engage in advocacy work. It’s equally important to ensure that you’re taking care of yourself and paying attention to any potential decline in mental health.
What Can Therapists Do?
There are many different things therapists can do to support the needs of individuals exposed to police brutality and ensure a safe and welcoming environment.
Here are some examples:
Create space for open and honest discussions about police brutality within the therapeutic space as well as amongst peers
Voting and political action: reallocating funds towards community health and safety initiatives.
Educating oneself on current events and how this impacts different cultures
Have a strong understanding of and provide culturally responsive care
Provide trauma-informed care
Offer additional resources to clients
Additional Resources
Conclusion
Police brutality can have major negative impacts on one’s mental health. By educating ourselves, sharing these stories, and creating quality mental health care, it can help to process these events.
These may be difficult topics to talk about, however, it is so important in helping prevent tragic events related to police brutality from continuing to happen.
Learn more about mental health and BIPOC communities in our recent blog post.
At TCC, we pride ourselves in providing trauma-informed and culturally responsive care to all. If therapy is something you want to explore, TCC offers free 15-minute consultations to help support your mental health journey.
Resources
O’Connor, J., & Williams, C. (2024, July 25). Sonya Massey: Deputy charged in Fatal shooting worked for 6 agencies in 4 years - National. Global News. https://globalnews.ca/news/10642942/sonya-massey-shooting-deputy-sean-grayson-work-history/
Young-Drake, R., Aladetimi, T., Chambers, A., & Radford, B. (n.d.). How police brutality affects mental health in Black Communities. The Good Marshall Centre - Howard University School of Law. https://thurgoodmarshallcenter.howard.edu/sites/tmcrc.howard.edu/files/2021-05/A%20Growing%20Dilemma%20 %20How%20Police%20Brutality%20Affects%20Mental%20Health%20in%20the%20Black%20Communities.pdf Growing Dilemma - How Police Brutality Affects Mental Health in the Black Communities.pdf
Alang, S., Rogers, T. B., Williamson, L. D., Green, C., & Bell, A. J. (2021). Police brutality and unmet need for mental health care. Health services research, 56(6), 1104–1113. https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-6773.13736
Alang, S., VanHook, C., Judson, J., Ikiroma, A., & Adkins-Jackson, P. B. (2022). Police brutality, heightened vigilance, and the mental health of black adults. Psychology of Violence, 12(4), 211-220. https://doi.org/10.1037/vio0000418
