Although the Black American community regularly faces discrimination from United States law enforcement, reciprocal psychological strategies for improving the well-being of Black Americans is understudied. This qualitative study interviewed 15 Black American students at a midsize university in the Southern United States regarding (a) their perceptions of law enforcement’s interactions with the Black community, (b) effects on well-being and mental health, (c) coping strategies for justice system and law enforcement related distress, (d) ways for mental health professionals to assist Black individuals in amplifying coping strategies, and (e) actions that mental health professionals should take in response to systemic racial oppression. Consensual qualitative research (CQR) analysis showed nine prevalent domains: relations with police, power dynamics/sense of power, culture, emotional distress, effects of media, proposed strategies, utilization of mental health services, coping strategies, and survival skills. Results provide important recommendations for mental health providers, multicultural researchers, and policyholders.
Ray et al. (Thu,) studied this question.
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