Sick and tired of being sick and tired: A qualitative study examining COVID-19, racism, and mental health among middle-class Black women

Black women have been significantly impacted by COVID-19 and racism. They've experienced financial and mental angst, yet many are not receiving mental health services. In this study, I sought to understand Black women's experiences with COVID-19, racism, and their mental health. Forty-three semi-structured interviews were conducted with Black women across several states. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using constructivist grounded theory. Women described "feeling sick and tired" and three major categories emerged: navigating COVID-19 and racism, mental health management, and my faith getting me through. The feelings of being sick and tired was central to these women's experiences with COVID-19 and racism. It is important for practitioners to create welcoming spaces for Black women to engage in services and explore what it means for them to feel sick and tired during unprecedented times.