I believe "The Black Market" they refer to is either pharmaceutical companies making money off of mental illness or mental health clinics themselves.
See:
We traffic in the blackest of markets
Trade misery like diamonds and gold
The angst that we exchange for applause or petty praise
Is finally now taking its toll
"Trading misery like diamonds or gold" being the mental illness filling the pockets of pharmaceutical companies. "The angst that we exchange for applause or petty praise" is reminiscent of an inpatient program where a patient sits in a circle of their peers and talks about their insecurities and struggles. They are often praised or hugged or patted on the back, all of which only do so much for their illness. This comes from personal experience.
I believe "The Black Market" they refer to is either pharmaceutical companies making money off of mental illness or mental health clinics themselves. See:
We traffic in the blackest of markets Trade misery like diamonds and gold The angst that we exchange for applause or petty praise Is finally now taking its toll
"Trading misery like diamonds or gold" being the mental illness filling the pockets of pharmaceutical companies. "The angst that we exchange for applause or petty praise" is reminiscent of an inpatient program where a patient sits in a circle of their peers and talks about their insecurities and struggles. They are often praised or hugged or patted on the back, all of which only do so much for their illness. This comes from personal experience.