Mental illness does not discriminate. People of all racial, ethnic, religious and socioeconomic groups experience mental illness and African Americans are no exception. However, each group experiences mental illnesses differently. In the African American community mental health problems are often seen as a spiritual problem. Many tend to turn to clergy as alternative sources of help rather than to a psychiatrist or mental health professional. Stigma associated with mental illness also keeps African Americans from seeking the help they need.

Celebrities, leaders and advocates have come forward to share their experiences with mental illness and educate the African American community about what they can do to get help. In her new critically acclaimed book Black Pain, author Terrie Williams works to combat negative associations concerning mental health treatment. As she describes her personal battle with depression, Williams expresses her desire for African Americans to speak openly about mental illness:

“My dream is that Black Pain will begin to undo the stigma of ‘craziness’ Black people often link with depression, that it will give us the space to talk honestly about depression in all its faces, and that it will inspire us to celebrate our stories and our achievements even as we do battle.”

While mental illness exists in all population groups, African Americans experience a much greater unmet need for mental health services and receive a lesser quality of care than Caucasian populations. These differences result in what is referred to as mental health disparitiesfor African Americans.

Former U.S. Surgeon General, David Satcher, MD, an African American family physician and preeminent figure in the public health field, made history when he chose mental health as the subject of his Surgeon General’s Report in 1999 and in 2002. He released a supplement to the mental health report focused on culture, race and ethnicity. Despite tremendous scientific advances in mental health treatment in recent years, he spelled out the fact that African Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, Hispanics, and Native Americans experience a number of mental health disparities. According to the Report, members of these racial and ethnic groups:

• are less likely to receive diagnosis and treatment for their mental illness
• have less access to and availability of mental health services
• often receive a poorer quality of mental health care
• are underrepresented in mental health research

Dr. Satcher’s message to psychiatrists and other mental health professionals was clear: when it comes to eliminating disparities and providing high quality mental health care, culture counts.

The APA has identified the elimination of mental health disparities as a top priority and is engaged in a number of initiatives to that end. Through public awareness campaigns to promote a better understanding of mental illness, outreach to communities about the significance of disparities in mental health, alliances and collaborations with professional associations and family and consumer organizations, the APA is dedicated to helping African Americans and all Americans achieve optimal mental health and well-being.
Remember:

• Mental illnesses, like depression and anxiety, are real illnesses.
• Mental illnesses can be treated.
• Receiving treatment can lead to a healthy mind and a healthy life.

For more information about African American mental health, or to contact the APA Office of Minority and National Affairs, send an email to omna@psych.org or call 703-907-7300.