The impact of racial discrimination on mental health

A report of the Evidence for Equality National Survey (EVENS)

Published: May 2025

Authors: Patricia Irizar, Dharmi Kapadia, Harry Taylor, Gertrude Wafula, Albert Kwansa, Charles Kwaku-Odoi, Laia Bécares, Srinivasa Vittal Katikireddi

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Credit: Blue Talking Therapies

Drawing on data from EVENS the report investigates the impact on mental health of direct and indirect racism. 

Download the report. 

Key findings

  • There was a dose-response relationship between racial discrimination and poor mental health (effect on mental health increased with increasing number of times and areas in which racism was experienced).
  • Recent experiences of racial discrimination (within the past 5 years only) had a stronger effect on mental health compared to experiences of racial discrimination that happened over five years ago.
  • Chronic experiences of racial discrimination over someone’s life (both past and recent experiences) had the strongest effect on mental health.
  • Experiences of racial discrimination were associated with testing positive for COVID-19, financial concerns, feelings of loneliness, and a reduced sense of belonging.
  • Racial discrimination also indirectly contributed to poor mental health, through a greater likelihood of testing positive for COVID-19, financial insecurity, feelings of loneliness, and a reduced sense of belonging.

This report summarises Associations Between Experiences of Racial Discrimination Across the Life Course and Mental Health: Exploring Direct and Indirect Pathways published in 'Sociology of Health & Illness' (open access).