This month is Black History Month in the UK, whilst World Mental Health day is also taking place on 10th October 2022 – two crucially important days for promoting awareness, education and advocacy against social stigma. Unfortunately, in today’s society, black people are four times more likely to be detained under the Mental Health Act than white people whilst there are also with significant issues for black people accessing appropriate support. In an enlightening study, StoryTerrace, the international memoir-writing service, explored how the power of literature and creative expression has been a vital tool in supporting the mental health symptoms of Black-British individuals in recent years.

It is widely known that black women are more likely to experience a common mental illness such as anxiety disorder or depression and black men are disproportionately at risk of developing psychosis. Coupled with the insurmountable stress piling up as a result of the UK’s current socio-economic crisis it is no surprise that the number of referrals to NHS self-help services currently stands at 4.3 million. Furthermore, it has been found that workers from ethnic minority backgrounds are being disproportionately affected by the cost of living crisis, with more than a third unable to cover their essential costs each month. To this end, StoryTerrace commissioned a unique piece of research which highlighted the vast amount of Black-British individuals who are turning to self-help techniques such as journaling and creative writing to manage their symptoms.

Key stats:
59% of Black-British people say writing about their mental health experiences in a creative way has allowed them to better understand themselves
45% feel more comfortable writing about their experiences than talking about them
61% said that reading stories they can relate to has a positive impact on their mental health
40% feel that journaling has been the most beneficial aid to their mental health to date
32% say that they have picked up journaling over the course of the past two years to help with their mental health
Journaling has been increasingly discussed as an effective form of self-care, serving as an accessible form of treatment. Today, journaling has evolved beyond that characterisation to become an evidence-based way for people with depression and other debilitating mental health conditions to improve symptoms and increase wellbeing. In their national study, StoryTerrace found that well over half (59%) Black-British respondents said that writing about their mental health experiences in a creative way has allowed them to better understand themselves and a further 45% said they feel more comfortable writing about their experiences than talking about them.

Rutger Bruining, Founder and CEO of StoryTerrace, has first-hand insight into the large number of incredible life stories that come to the service daily. Explaining how the memoir-service has provided a platform for everyone and anyone to share their stories and document their experiences, he said:

“Hundreds of the memoirs that we see at StoryTerrace start from an individual’s journal – we see it all the time. They represent a capsule of one’s thoughts and feelings at a certain point and allow reflection over that experience for years to come. People cherish their journals and keep them as keepsakes, and that is what is so beautiful about StoryTerrace.

“When we look upon the world historically, we open ourselves up to new insights about the present, and the world around us comes alive. One of the key benefits of writing a biography is how it brings people closer to their family, their history and a better understanding of who they really are. For us, it is not just about documenting one’s story, it is about cementing your identity by connecting you with your past.

“There is power in writing – it is one of the purest forms of self-expression and allows room for creativity, self-exploration and even just some fun to pass the time. We have the pleasure of seeing exactly how writing directly benefits our clients and our amazing ghostwriters.”