Too often, those who suffer with mental illness suffer in silence. Close family members may know the full extent of the affected person’s condition but co-workers and friends rarely do. The individual who has been diagnosed would much rather bear the weight of their illness alone that risk being ostracized for something that is out of their control. What about those who are mentally ill and not even aware that they are? In the African American community, there are far too many such individuals. And it’s time for that to change.
African Americans are less likely to receive a diagnosis for a mental illness than other racial groups. Because the illnesses aren’t diagnosed, individuals don’t receive treatment. Untreated mental illness can manifest itself in many ways: some patient turn to drugs to self-medicate, others become violent with loved ones and some may prefer living in the streets to living at home with family. The effects of undiagnosed mental illness extend far beyond the individual and their family: the community is affected, too. Increased crime rates and homeless populations result in additional expenses for local governments.
There are a number of reasons African Americans are not being diagnosed and treated for mental illness in the same way whites are, even though rates of mental illness is the same among both blacks and whites. Key among them is the fact that so many of our people are misinformed about the different mental disorders and the ways they are treated. We still use antiquated terms to describe those who are battling a mental illness and we buy in to stereotypes associated with the disease.
Lack of access to quality healthcare is another reason our people aren’t getting the treatment they need. So many communities across the country lack solid clinics that can provide medical and dental care, let alone mental health services.
Mental illness can be treated and many people who suffer, whether it be from schizophrenia or bipolar disorder or another disease, can go on to live relatively normal lives by regularly taking their medication and following the directions of their doctors. But first, we must work to make sure our people are getting to step one: a diagnosis.
Local governments should fund more mental health clinics that provide basic screenings in poverty stricken neighborhoods. Schools, hospitals and community centers should pay attention to the behaviors of their students, patients and customers, referring those who stand out to a mental health professional, and following up to see if they made the appointment. Churches can play a big role, opening up the conversation about mental illness so that families are no longer ashamed to approach the topic with a loved one.
By pushing for awareness in African American communities and increased services in poorer areas, we can begin to erase the stigma associated with the disease and start to create healthier communities.
I wholeheartdly agree – Most rare is the black man that will voluntarily walk into a psychiatrist’s office for a ‘check-up from the neck-up’… This is a huge factor when you look at the numbers of black men in PRISONS – many of them need this type of assistance – If they could get it, maybe they wouldn’t come back! – BooksToInmates.com
I have worked in the mental health field for many years and find it hard to get families to admit that problems exsist. However I can say that in the commnity that I service familes are much more open to help than 10 years ago. I do agree that we h way to go and get help for these families before serious incidents occur.
Wierd how in year 2009, African-Americans/Blacks/Persons of Color don’t/won’t seek mental health services. Fundamentally, the most obvious service to be used is that of marriage counseling.
What does remain, however, is the willingness of said persons to seek pastoral intervention via their church. Somehow, the stigma is removed in this regard. Yet what remains true is that Churches are great with addressing the spiritual but may be ill-equipped to handle mental health issues as an on-going service.
Across all races and cultures, it remains that folks won’t seek mental health services until the Brokenness is beyond repair. – Andre V. Milteer, M.A.
The years of damage in the community the lack of adult education and the FDA pumping people with experimental drugs are just minor parts to a major problem. Vietnam war Mental abuse Drug abuse Then return Create more children. Welfare keeps men out of homes now women raise young men that have now clue what to do. Then these boys create more and the labels he’s hyper, he got ADD, someone get that child some Medicine to calm him down the schools can’t handle to much of a problem. Remember Tuskeege Experiment how far can it spread. Gulf War soliders suffer from protecting the nation, Iraq War has problems from this, Afgan War Vet have but when America has more Jails the Veterans Hospitals you will see 65% of all homeless being Vets. The truth is Many minorities join the Military and after the Stressful Demands on ones Life at minimal Compensation the pressure as they say can Bust a PIPE. So notice when your elected offical wants to go to war how many don’t have there on family fighting. Chess not checkers Pawns in a game what a shame Mental healh is a problem like a lot of things but the Veterans issues are less important than say a Baseball player on Steroids, or head injury of a Football player they entertain but those who serve who cares. Three generations of service to this country there are many mental issue but the biggest is God’s eye all are created equal but in service to your nation none are treated equal. Don’t ask don’t tell is more than a Gay in military its don’t fight for help don’t recieve help.
Mrried 2 yrs have bipolar can husband take child?He is a control freak and want out
I dont know what to do I am 32 yrs oldhave 2 kids 14 and 10 as well but not his, dont work much my mom says I need to get guardian ship hope ya can help me really love your
show as well. Thank you for your time God Bless
I have a 28 year old son, unmarried, unemployed, living with me, convicted of a felony assault, but is now off probation (after 3yrs). He just completed a DUI program (1st), licensed was re-issued, but this morning he was pulled over and is currently in jail for his 2nd DUI offense. I’m sure he will have to do jail time on this one, plus school and fines.
The problem, I know he needs help, but I can’t reason with him to seek professional help. He has self diagnosed himself as a schizophrenia, which I believe to be somewhat true, but he needs professional help. Also, he is sometime abusive, both physical and verbal. I started noticing changes in his behavior in 2005. This is when all these problems started manifesting
Once he has finished this last DUI offense, how can he get treatment for mental illness? (I had a brother and uncle that had this problem).
I really hate seeing him waste his life away. He had a bright future (he was enrolled in college and working). But, he pledged a fraternity (which may have started his downward spiral.
I used to be a mental health specialist in a prison. I’d like to see many things changed in this area. Mental health was not a priority at the prison I worked at and was often a “privilege” for an inmate to seek attention. For example, if an inmate had been ordered to have a psychological examination for parole, it would be up to certain personnel to decide when they could get this examination. Inmates would often wait for months or years, depending on whether or not they were liked well enough by staff. I would like to see that the inmates get these examinations within three months of being ordered to have one or upon request. I would like to add that it wasn’t the mental health professionals who decided whether or not the inmates could be scheduled. I would also like to see that prisons comply with the privacy of inmates mental health records. I had my office tore up one day by a staff member who was looking for information on an inmate. This staff member wasn’t authorized to enter my office, let alone to go through the files of all of the inmates of whom I had treated. Yet, the warden allowed this action without reprimand. Often times, the staff adds to the dysfunctional culture of a prison. Take a look at the Stanford Prison Experiment headed by Phillip G. Zimbardo to see an example of what the prison I worked at was like.
Blacks and mental health? Why do you have to say that? That is so wrong. Mental illness strikes everyone! I am so tired of hearing about black this and black that. Why can’t people just be people? You said, “There are a number of reasons African Americans are not being diagnosed and treated for mental illness in the same way whites are, even though rates of mental illness is the same among both blacks and whites. Key among them is the fact that so many of our people are misinformed about the different mental disorders and the ways they are treated. We still use antiquated terms to describe those who are battling a mental illness and we buy in to stereotypes associated with the disease.” Are you saying blacks are that unintelligent that they can’t understand mental illness? If so why is that? And you used the phrase, Our People” That type of phrase is what keeps blacks and whites separated!