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• African Americans account for approximately 12%
of the population, but they account for only 2%
of psychiatrists, 2% of psychologists and 4% of
social workers.
• Only 1/3 of all Americans with a mental disorder get
care. The percent of African Americans receiving care
is half that of non-Hispanic Whites.
• African Americans are less likely to be treated with
medications, especially newer medications that have
lesser side effects, than Whites. When they do receive
medications, they often receive higher dosages leading
to more severe side effects.
The cost of mental disorders extends beyond the individual
to his family, community and ultimately society.
With appropriate outreach and treatment, these financial
and non-financial costs are avoidable.
• The burden of mental disorders, specifically depression
costs $43 billion annually. Absenteeism and
lost productivity in the work place cost $23 billion
per year.
• When mental disorders aren’t treated, African
American men are more vulnerable to incarceration,
homelessness, substance abuse, homicide
and suicide.
What’s Behind the Problem
Besides the physical factors that contribute to mental
disorders are a host of social factors that create a negative
environment for African American men. On a daily
basis, the black man has to deal with racism, inequality,
and economic oppression while trying to care for himself
and his family. Dealing with this harsh reality can
lead to increased depression, frustration, low selfesteem,
and feelings

Posted By: DAVID JOHNSON
Tuesday, October 26th 2010 at 8:35PM
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“In this society, the Black man feels he
can never rest, he can never relax, or
just be himself.”
“Many of us have developed a ‘What
difference does it make’ attitude.
Racism has forced a lot of Black
men to sit on top of their pain. They
feel there are very few outlets to
share their feelings of frustration
with the system.”
“When we (Black men) don’t feel we
can provide for our families or protect
our children, we feel worthless,
depressed and we begin to turn on
each other. This society only values
what you do and not who you are.”
“In this society, many of us feel alone.
Who can we turn to?”
• African American men with higher earnings and higher
education are less at risk for depression. Black
males who report no earnings have increased susceptibility
for depression.
• Poverty, racism and the impact of past trauma (particularly
violence) are the primary contributing
factors to the mental health disorders of young
African American men.
• Young blacks are more likely to commit suicide after
an altercation or perceived victimization by
institutional authorities such as the police, criminal
justice system, school officials, landlord or welfare
department.
• Among African Americans, especially males, the possibility
of "being someone", making a significant contribution
to society, and attaining basic respect and
self esteem is seldom a reality, predisposing them to
suicidal and homicidal acts of destruction.
Healing
Individuals who are fortunate find a way toward healing
and treating their mental disorders. Ultimately, it must
become a right of every individual to be able to access
the services and care so that he may be able to fulfill his
destiny and to be able to contribute fully to his family
and his community.
“ I had no choice. It was a life or death
situation.”
“ I thought about my children and
made a decision to seek treatment.”
“ I wanted to feel like I could overcome
something on my own.”
Prevention
Early intervention is critical. Outreach must be tailored
specifically for African American men and health education
must be delivered by trusted messengers.
• Develop and support mental health promotion/intervention
initiatives that are specifically geared to
African American males.
• Develop early intervention strategies for men who are
vulnerable to environmental and psychosocial factors
that predispose them to self-destructive behaviors.
• Suicide prevention efforts should be evidence-based
and comprehensive enough to address the complex
dynamics of suicidal behaviors.
Community and Provider
Education/Service Delivery
Mental health services that treat African American men
with understanding, respect, and dignity are important
to ensuring their health. Providing mental health services
requires all segments of community to become
involved (e.g., faith-based institutions, behavioral
health agencies, and the criminal justice system).
“The treatment center was very black
male friendly.”
“More men support groups are needed
to help men with the healing process.”
“There needs to be a serious media
education and awareness campaign
about mental health just for Black
men.”
“We need a good list of Black mental
health professionals who understand
the plight of Black men in this
country and who will not prejudge
us, but who will listen to our pain
and feelings of frustration.”
“We need more opportunities to
express ourselves openly without
feeling like we will be perceived as
being weak.”
“More sensitive mental health counselors
and folks who are sincere and
who are not quick to judge Black men.”
“We need a watchdog organization to
help determine which services for
treating Black men are the best and
most effective.”
• Conduct stigma awareness training at faith
institutions, community organizations, and primary
care settings.
• Educate providers on the identification, diagnosis and
treatment of mental health issues for African
American men.
• Support academic-community partnerships that focus
on making academic health training and the delivery
of health services culturally competent.
• Increase awareness of connections between chronic
diseases and mental health.
• Improve referral and follow up mechanisms from the
criminal justice system to community-based organizations,
mental health facilities and substance abuse
treatment systems.
• Formal and informal systems of help must be created
that will provide Black men with opportunities to congregate
and talk over problems they feel they cannot
mention to most people.
• Black institutions, community leaders and health professionals
must encourage and promote participation
and involvement of Black men in both traditional and
non-traditional institutional structures, groups and
relationships (i.e., churches, family activities, fraternities,
health retreats, group therapy, etc) within the
African American community that may offer cooperative
and self-help approaches to stressful situations.
Policies
In order to improve the health of African American men,
the entire community must become more involved in
the political process. if we dont help our self who i
Tuesday, October 26th 2010 at 8:38PM
DAVID JOHNSON