Abieyuwa Omokaro
Dr. Kpalukwu
English 003
18 April 2013
“I’ll Just Deal With it Myself” | Mental Healthcare in the African-American Community
The concept of mental health has undergone major changes over the centuries in the United States. According to Unite for Sight, “history of mental illness in the United States is a good representation of the ways in which trends in psychiatry and cultural understanding of mental illness influence national policy and attitudes towards mental health” (Unite for Sight) so much so that it has become wildly accepted as an important aspect of the healthcare sector, equipped with proper treatment for people who suffer from mental illnesses. However, not all are able to enjoy such a luxury, namely African-Americans, due to social circumstances and long-held cultural beliefs. Ultimately, the lack of adequate mental healthcare in African-American communities can lead to the production of inactive members of society.
Before one can accomplish something, they must learn everything they can about it. Sometimes they may even have to let go of some previous thoughts or ideas in order to be more knowledgeable. This also holds true for implementing change the mental health of the African-American community. According to Mental Health America (NMHA), "63 percent of African Americans believe that depression is a personal weakness" (NMHA) and that "only 31 percent of African Americans believed that depression was a 'health problem.'" (NMHA). Such percentages highlight the fact that many African-Americans do not believe that mental issues can exist due to certain beliefs as well as simple lack of knowledge and therefore are unable to address them. In order for the mental needs amongst African-Americans to be met properly, the community must be educated as to what they are dealing with first.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness reveals that African-Americans "are disproportionately more likely to experience social circumstances that...
