Mental Health Disparities in the African American Community

Dr. Gloria Morrow

In the 1999 U.S. General’s Report and 2002 Supplemental Report focusing on culture, race and ethnicity, David Satcher, brought to our attention stunning data confirming the existence of disparities in mental health services for people of color.

by Dr. Gloria Morrow

These reports supported our suspicions that African Americans may experience even more serious mental health disparities. The report revealed that African Americans suffering from mental illness may not receive the same quality of care as their white counterparts.



Furthermore,
African Americans may have less access to culturally appropriate mental
health services that take into consideration their unique ethnic and
religious perspectives resulting in misdiagnosis and over medicating.
It is not uncommon for African Americans suffering from substance abuse
disorders to be diagnosed with thought disorders such as Schizophrenia,
and children suffering from mood (depression) or anxiety (Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD) disorders to be diagnosed with ADHD
because mental health providers may not fully understand the cultural
world of some African Americans.


While there has
been a concerted effort to provide culturally competent treatment to a
multicultural clientele, there is evidence that African Americans tend
to have higher drop out rates, they utilize fewer treatment sessions
for mental health problems and seek mental health treatment at a later
stage. They tend to over utilize inpatient psychiatric care at state
hospitals at twice the rate of whites, and underutilize community
mental health services of all types.



At first glance,
it appears that African Americans tend to have overall rates of
distress symptoms and mental illnesses similar to those of whites.
However, Satcher is quick to point out that this assumption may be
faulty because African Americans are poorly represented in the mental
health research and they tend to be highly represented in high-need
populations such as prisons, inner cities, rural areas, and psychiatric
hospitals where mental illness and its resulting behavioral
manifestations may be a normal way of life.



In addition to
the obvious history of racism and discrimination that has contributed
to African American’s cultural mistrust of the mental health system,
disparities tend to exist for a variety of other reasons, such as:



    •    A lack of culturally appropriate care


    •    A lack of African American mental health providers

    •    A lack of financial and funding resources

    •    A lack
of relevant research focusing on the diverse attitudes, beliefs, and
behaviors within the African American community



Increased
efforts to educate and make the community aware of mental illness and
the importance of breaking the silence when community members are
suffering are certainly apparent all over the country. However, the
stigma associated with mental illness lives on. Therefore, I would like
to recommend the following strategies for eliminating mental health
disparities in this complex community.



    1.    Ensure that culturally competent care is provided by mental health professionals.


    2.    Encourage legislation to reduce financial barriers to treatment.

    3.   
Encourage African American mental health professionals to become
involved in educating the community about mental health issues, and to
be willing to continue doing pro bono work.


    4.   
Mobilize the faith community, and all community stakeholders to work
together to develop an action plan to address this critical issue.


    5.   
Utilize the Black church, community organizations, and other groups
(e.g., hair care industry, sororities, fraternities) as centers for
health and healing.



Dr. Gloria
Morrow, speaker, workshop facilitator, and author, is a licensed
clinical psychologist in private practice in Upland, California. She is
the author of Too Broken to be Fixed? A Spiritual Guide to Inner
Healing, and educational DVD Suffer in Silence no More. She is also the
author of Strengthening the Ties that Bind: A Guide to a Healthy
Marriage and Keeping it Real! 7 Steps Toward a Healthier You. Her
latest book, The Things that Make Men Cry is scheduled for release in
the near future. Please visit Dr. Morrow’s website www.gloriamorrow.com
or call 909.985.3773 to purchase product, view calendar of speaking
engagements and appearances, or to complete a booking inquiry form.