Black History Month and Mental Health
April Cooper
February is the month dedicated to celebrating Black History in the United States. This is a time that we, as a nation, set aside to honor the contributions of African American people to our great nation. There have been countless teachers, doctors, lawyers, politicians, and occupations in between who have made a great impact on the lives of many. The theme for Black History month in 2022 is Black Health and Wellness. Not only does this theme allow us to highlight all of the health and wellness providers across the US, it also brings up an important topic – mental health in the African American population.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), despite the need for mental health services only 1 in 3 black adults who need care receive it. But why? One of the most important factors that we must address is the stigma surrounding mental health. Although this stigma exists across many different cultures, a study showed that 63% of black people believe that a mental health condition is a sign of personal weakness.
Ways to Break Mental Health Stigma
· Talk openly about mental health
· Educate yourself and others
· Be aware of the language used around the topic
· Treat physical and mental health equally
Another factor that we must also consider is that historically, African American
people have been encountered prejudice and discrimination when seeking care through the health care system in the US. Unfortunately, this is not completely an issue of the past. However, there is hope! It is important to find a health care provider who is culturally competent. NAMI has provided questions that may be useful when meeting with healthcare professionals to better understand their level of cultural competence.
· How do you see our cultural backgrounds influencing our communication and my treatment?
· Do you use a different approach in your treatment when working with patients from different cultural backgrounds?
· What is your current understanding of differences in health outcomes for Black patients?
After the initial visit, it may also be important to do a self-check-in to be sure that you were heard and understood by the healthcare professional. When seeking a mental health professional it is vital that you feel your identity is understood as the working relationship between therapist and client is key to mental health treatment.
We, here at Kentucky Counseling Partner’s, want to help. If you or someone you know is in need of mental health services our team at KY Counseling Partners is ready to serve you with culturally competent care. Please call our office at (270) 504-0068.
*The Kentucky Counseling Partner’s phone number is not an emergency hotline and will only be answered during normal business hours.
www.nami.org