Why do black people shy away from getting mental help?  Is it because blacks' believe that Jesus will fix it. Or blacks' misunderstand what a mental illness is and the conditions.  What ever the case maybe, blacks' don't seek out the help they need.  There are several factors that prevent blacks' from seeking mental health services.

One reason blacks' are not seeking help is because of the stigma behind mental illness.  It's a shameful thing to have in the African American community.  Mental illness is looked at as something bad to have.  Many blacks' see this as a character flaw rather than an illness.  Strong beliefs prevent blacks' from getting help due to their spiritual connection with God.  In addition, African Americans do not have access to resources for care.  Some African Americans feel that seeking professional treatment is betraying their faith and church..


In the black community, people misunderstand what mental health conditions are and they rarely talk about the issues.  There is a lack of knowledge of the signs and symptoms that can be associated with mental health conditions.  Other barriers which affect proper treatment is lack of money and insurance.  Being in denial of having a problem.  As stated earlier, lack of knowledge of problem and refusal of help.

Historically blacks' have had distrust in institutions.  Especially in the judicial and health care systems.  Discrimination and prejudice continues to affect African Americans negatively.  Another reason blacks' lack treatment due to the lack of cultural competence from health care professionals.  There is a lack of African American mental health professionals.  According to HHS, blacks' reported experiencing racism from therapist.  In return that causes an issue of not properly being diagnose.  This is a matter that needs to be addressed in the black community.

                                                                        Sources

www.nami.org/Find-Support/Drive-Communities/African-American-Mental-Health

www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov/omh/browse.aspx?lvl=4&lvlid=24


Comments

  1. UnknownMarch 7, 2018 at 8:57 PM

    I think black people have a high sense of pride. Mental illness is tabboo. We should be more comfortable discussing them.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownMarch 14, 2018 at 3:53 PM

    I think black people don't want anyone in their business so they try to keep everything a secret and sometimes they are doing more damage to themselves by prolonging to seek help.

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownMarch 28, 2018 at 2:58 PM

    In the black community i believe that mental issue is an issue that should be discussed

    ReplyDelete

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