It is a far-too common practice in the African American community that those suffering from mental health issues do not seek much-needed psychiatric treatment because “Black folks don’t go to the doctor, they go to church.”
Anyone can experience the challenges of mental illness regardless of their background, but African Americans oftentimes experience more severe forms of mental health conditions due to unmet needs and other barriers.
Many African Americans also have trouble recognizing the signs and symptoms of mental health conditions, leading to underestimating the effects and impact of mental health conditions.
In the African American community, family, community and spiritual beliefs tend to be great sources of strength and support, but those believing they may be suffering from mental health issues should turn to health care professionals for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Approximately 30% of African American adults with mental illness receive treatment each year, compared to the U.S. average of 43%, for the following reasons:
Conscious or unconscious bias from providers and lack of cultural competence result in misdiagnosis and poorer quality of care for African Americans.
