I wish someone told me that mental illness is not a “white people thing”

Eating Disorders and People of Color

As a person of color, I recognize the lack of representation within the mental health and eating disorder community. Due to this lack of representation and awareness not only within our communities but also within the online community, lots of us are misinformed and feel invalidated.

I am a person of color and I suffered from an eating disorder. BIPOC are significantly less likely than white people to have been asked by a doctor about eating disorder symptoms. BIPOC with eating disorders are 50% less likely to be diagnosed and receive treatment. Black teenagers are 50% more likely than white teenagers to exhibit bulimic behavior, such as binge-eating and purging. These statistics show you that people of color struggle with eating disorders but we do not get the treatment, awareness, or representation we deserve.

Growing up, I wish someone told me that mental illness is not a “white people thing”. Part of the reason why I thought my struggles were invalid was because I wasn’t white. The face of the mental health movement is thin, cis-gendered, straight, white women. There’s absolutely nothing wrong being thin, white, cis-gendered, or straight...but what is wrong is that this is not inclusive or realistic.

People of color struggle with their mental health, fat people struggle with their mental health, trans folks struggle with their mental health, lgbtq+ folks struggle with their mental health. When we forget to include these marginalized groups of people within our recovery and awareness, it can be extremely harmful and a reason why someone doesn’t reach out to get help.

To the people that are thin, white, cis-gendered, and straight : I am not asking you to stop sharing your story. Your story is valid, your story is helpful, and your story is incredible. What I am asking is that you pass the mic and make space for the marginalized groups that aren’t represented. We need to elevate the voices of BIPOC with eating disorders.

We do not need another movement surrounded around white people. I’m not saying this to be harsh or hateful. I’m saying this to raise awareness and share a perspective that’s not your own.

To anyone who is a part of a marginalized group, I see you, I hear you, and I’m sorry that you and I do not get the representation we need and deserve. I know it’s scary and difficult, but we can change that by sharing our stories.

Thank you so much for reading this and for being here; as always, here’s your reminder that you are loved, you are valued, and you matter.

*Story shared by Julissa; for her along on IG here!