Black people have served in the U.S. military in every battle that has taken place. According to the National WWII Museum, more than one million African American men and women served during WWII. Of those who served were the Tuskegee Airmen. Before them, no African American had ever been a United States military pilot. The Jim Crow laws, a series of racist laws that enforced the “separate but equal” treatment of African Americans, were used as justification for blocking previous attempts by African American soldiers to become pilots (National WWII Museum (PDF | 145 KB)). It is important to acknowledge that although formal means of discrimination may no longer be in practice, the military, like many other large institutions, does not find itself isolated when it comes to dealing with ongoing racial and behavioral health disparities.
According to VA’s Office of Health Equity, from 2019 to 2045, the racial and ethnic makeup of veterans will change, and Black veterans will comprise 15 percent of the veteran population (currently making up 12 percent of the population). According to the 2023 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report (PDF | 2 MB), in 2021 the suicide rate for Black or African American veterans was 17.4 per 100,000.
Although help-seeking behavior is improving, many Black people still do not seek treatment for behavioral health due not only to stigma, but also due to a perceived lack of trust in the mental health system. Additionally, some Black people tend to rely on the strength of extended family, close friends, and the role of their community and faith-based organizations for support.
African American Behavioral Health Center of Excellence
The African American Behavioral Health Center of Excellence (AABH-COE) is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, SAMHSA. AABH-COE’s mission is to help transform behavioral health services for African Americans, making them safer, more effective, more accessible, more inclusive, more welcoming, more engaging, and more culturally appropriate and responsive.
Black Veterans Project
The mission of the Black Veterans Project is to (1) acknowledge and amplify the unique achievements and contributions of Black veterans and to (2) lead a movement for racial inclusion and justice across the five branches of the U.S. military while ensuring the welfare of all black veterans who served.
Black Veterans for Social Justice
The mission of Black Veterans for Social Justice is to provide program services to assist military personnel with making a smooth transition from active duty to civilian life. Services are provided to SMVF in the areas of social readjustment, housing, employment, compensation, disability, substance abuse, medical treatment, post-traumatic stress syndrome, legal advocacy, discharge up-grade, and redress of grievances within and outside the military.