“Our Depression is Different”: Experiences and Perceptions of Depression in Young Black Men with a History of Incarceration

One in three Black men in the US faces difficulties obtaining employment, housing and maintaining self-sufficiency post incarceration. Felony records result in considerable social and economic vulnerability, placing many young Black men at risk for depression. Little is known about depression in Black men with felony records. Twenty Black men with a history of incarceration were interviewed to explore perceptions and experiences of depression. Emergent themes were anger and negativity, depression is weakness, invisible depression, being strong and going on, and our depression is different. Findings have implications for clinicians who initiate ongoing therapeutic relationships with young Black men.