Racism as a Cause of Depression

Racism is not just an added stress to individuals of minority ethnic groups (identified as racial groups) but is a pathogen which generates depression. In analysing this within a social model of depression indicating a few ways in which racism subtly - and not so subtly - affects self esteem, causes losses in a psychological sense, and promotes a sense of helplessness (Table 2) I have indicated ways in which this perspective should influence treatment. A more complex scheme summarising the matters raised in this paper are given in Table 3. It should be acknowledged that in depression (as in any other psychiatric illness), the patient is implicated in the genesis of the condition one way or another, but the emphasis given in this paper to a "victim" approach is deliberate and necessary. In dealing with depression among people who are victims of social condition be it racism or the unemployment it is all too easy to see the individual as the problem. We then see solutions merely in terms of changing or treating the individual and really get into quite a mess. For example the author was recently talking to a G.P. about a man who had become depressed because of unemployment. The G.P. wanted to give him an antidepressant. Yes X is "good for unemployment" he was told. He did not see the joke. The emphasis had already shifted. Even if we recognise the effects of racism in causing identity crises, low self esteem or a sense of helplessness, we must of course help the individual but we must keep reminding ourselves that the problem is not really the low self esteem or whatever, but the racism.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)