Rates of alcoholism, depression and suicide often spike after natural disasters and can catch communities off guard, particularly African-American communities where mental health issues have long been a source of shame and denial.
Seeking out treatment for mental health issues has always carried a stigma in the black community.
Due to the current quarantine, the African Americans who were receiving mental health services prior to the COVID-19 and have limited or no computer or internet access are facing difficulties.
SCHARP contracts with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health to provide services to 1,500 adults, transitional age youth in foster care and children.
SCHARP serves a predominantly African-American community that has many mental health problems — schizophrenia, the dual diagnoses of a major mental illness and substance abuse and when chronic medical conditions are factored in it results in a triple diagnoses.
