Living with ulcerative colitis (UC) can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. From finding the right doctors to connecting with people who truly understand what you’re going through, building a strong support system is one of the most important parts of managing your health.
For many in the Black community, support goes beyond the doctor’s office. It’s found in barbershop conversations, group texts with family, prayer circles, and online spaces that speak our language. Do you know where to find trusted medical and emotional support that meets your needs and respects your journey?
1. Find a Specialist
Your primary care doctor may be the first person you talk to about your UC symptoms but it’s a gastroenterologist (GI doctor) who will usually diagnose and treat the condition. Finding one who understands your concerns, listens without judgment, and explains things clearly makes all the difference.
Do your research. Look for:
● GI doctors with experience treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
● Providers who take time to answer questions
● Black or Black-serving providers when possible, if that helps you feel more at ease
2. Build Your Village
Talking about UC can feel uncomfortable, especially if you’ve never met anyone else with it. Support groups offer a safe space to ask questions (in person and virtually), share tips, and cope with the feelings and emotions you may be dealing with. They offer real-life advice on diet, stress, and flares, encouragement when you’re feeling frustrated, and reminders that you can always ask for help. Look for UC groups through hospitals, advocacy organizations like the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, or community health centers.
Support doesn’t have to come from one place. It can be your best friend who checks in on you, your auntie who prays for you, or your partner who helps prep meals when you’re in a flare. UC may be a part of your story, but it doesn’t have to take over your whole life.
Lean on your people. Let them show up for you. If you haven’t found your UC community yet, it’s not too late.
3. Don’t Forget Mental Health Support
Chronic illness doesn’t just affect your body. It impacts your emotions, your relationships, and how you see yourself. If UC has left you feeling anxious, isolated, or discouraged, you deserve support for that too.
Talking to someone who understands chronic illness can help lighten the load. Some therapists specialize in working with people managing long-term conditions. Many now offer virtual sessions, so help is just a call or click away.
You Are Not Alone
There’s no “right” way to live with UC, but having support makes the road easier. When you connect with the right care, community, and conversations, you reclaim control and confidence.
Clinical trials offer support and resources for those living with UC. Click here to learn more and see if you may qualify.
References:
- Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. What Should I Eat?
- S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Ulcerative Colitis Basics
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Ulcerative Colitis
- Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. What is Ulcerative Colitis?
- Ulcerative colitis
- Liu JJ, Abraham BP, Adamson P, et al. The Current State of Care for Black and Hispanic Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2023;29(2):297-307. doi:10.1093/ibd/izac124
