Mental Health Disparities Among African Americans
Mental health issues affect everyone regardless of race, identities, and positionalities. This presentation will review research on the roles of stigma, religion, and access in African Americans use of mental health services and supply recommendations for future research and education. The mental health disparity among African Americans has stifled the community for years due to discrimination, racism, and fear of judgment or criticism (Alang 2019; Smith, 2015). The prevalence of mental illness differs between ethnic/racial minority groups and whites. For example, individuals belonging to racial/ethnic minority groups have a greater chance of experiencing racism, which puts them at an increased risk for depression compared to whites (Molina & James, 2017). In addition, the stigma associated with seeking mental health services is prevalent and harmful enough to prevent Black parents from seeking treatment, for themselves and their children, due to shame and even fear (Fripp & Carlson, 2017). This stigma is even prevalent in religious communities who shun the idea of seeking mental health care because religion is believed to be enough to alleviate symptoms (Burrell, 2019). This is especially important as 83% of Black people believe in God and 75% say religion is especially important in their life (Pewforum.org). An added barrier to receiving help is access. Healthcare availability is a problem within itself, but Black people often cannot receive care from Black psychologists. According to the National Alliance on Mental Health, in the U.S. only 4% of Psychologists, 2% of Psychiatrists, and 2% of Social Workers are African Americans (2009). If Black people want to receive help from someone who could possibly share a culture or skin color with them, it is difficult to find; even more so in poverty-stricken areas where mental health issues are especially prevalent and services are lacking. Awareness of these barriers that African Americans face to accessing mental health services is the first step towards alleviating these disparities.
Hi Zaymetrius,
I thought that your presentation was very thorough and interesting. This is something that has been discussed in my Anthropology of Mental Health class, so it is particularly interesting to read information on this subject matter through a Psychology and African American Studies perspective. Well done!
Thank you very much! I’m glad to see that his conversation is being held in other majors than the two I study.