Advocating for Equity: Addressing Mental Health Disparities in Black Communities
Alisha Johnson, BSN, RN Walden University PMHNP • April 19, 2024
Understanding the Disparities:
Historical, socioeconomic, and cultural factors play a major role in the complex disparities in mental health that exist in Black communities. According to research, Black people are more likely than white people to experience mental health concerns. Regardless, they are less likely to seek and receive appropriate mental health care. The stigma associated with mental illness in Black communities is a big obstacle. Past experiences of discrimination, racism, and injustice have fueled a widespread culture of shame and silence around mental health. Since asking for assistance is sometimes interpreted as a sign of weakness or failure, many people choose to suffer in silence rather than get help.
Factors Contributing to Disparities:
Several intersecting factors contribute to mental health disparities in black communities.
- Socioeconomic Inequality:
- Black people experience higher rates of poverty, unemployment, and limited access to high-quality healthcare.
- Socioeconomic stressors increase mental health problems and provide additional challenges to getting treatment.
- Systemic Racism in Healthcare Settings:
- When black people seek medical care, they face racism and discrimination. Systemic racism has caused mistrust and unwillingness to establish relationships with healthcare providers.
- The underrepresentation of black mental health practitioners makes culturally competent care more challenging to come across.
- Cultural Factors:
- Black people are reluctant to embrace mainstream treatments due to cultural differences.
- The lack of culturally sensitive mental health services further alienates Black individuals from seeking help.
Advocating the Change:
Addressing mental health disparities in Black communities requires a comprehensive, diverse strategy that addresses underlying causes and supports equal access. Here are a few strategies to advocate change:
- Destigmatizing Mental Illness
- Increasing Access to Care
- Promoting Diversity in the Mental Health Workforce
- Collaboration and Community Engagement
Conclusion:
Addressing the underlying disparities and challenges that significantly affect Black communities is necessary to achieve equity in mental health care. By addressing stigma, increasing access to care, and developing cultural competency, we can strive toward a future in which all people, regardless of race or ethnicity, have equal opportunity to improve their mental health. We can establish a more equitable and accessible mental health system for everyone by working together and with constant commitment.
September is National Recovery Month. During this time several efforts are made to raise awareness about substance use disorders. The importance of treatment, recovery, and community support is highlighted. For many families, watching a loved one struggle with alcohol use disorder (AUD) can feel overwhelming. Recovery is a journey that involves the person with the disorder as well as the family. Recovery does not happen overnight; it is an ongoing process that may involve therapy, medications, support groups, and lifestyle changes. Family members play a vital role in creating a safe and encouraging environment that fosters sustained recovery. Supporting your loved one can provide short- and long-term sobriety. Let’s talk about some ways families can support a loved one recovering from AUD while also taking care of themselves.
Currently more Americans die every year from drug overdoses than in motor vehicle crashes. This crisis is taking a devastating toll on certain parts of the U.S., such as Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Baltimore (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2021a ).
Ahh yes...fall. Pumpkin spice season, leaves changing colors, halloween around the corner, and days getting shorter!!
Many individuals tend to notice shifts in their mood, energy and motivation as days grow shorter, and sunlight fades earlier in the day. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a form of depression linked to changes in daylight exposure. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), SAD affects 5% of adults in the US each year. Symptoms typically begin in the fall and last throughout the winter months. There are proactive steps you can take now to mentally prepare for the season change. This blog explores what SAD is, why it happens and how you can protect your mental health during the darker months.
Seasonal changes, whether moving from winter to spring or summer to fall, affect more than just the weather. For many people, these transitions influence mood, energy, and overall mental wellness. Some may notice changes in sleep, appetite, motivation, or irritability. For those with underlying mood disorders or seasonal affective disorders (SAD), these shifts can feel challenging. By understanding the biological, environmental, and social elements involved, people can develop resilience and even flourish amid these changes. Resilience is not about avoiding stress, it’s about learning to navigate change with flexibility, self-awareness, and proactive strategies. And while seasonal changes often refer to shifts in environment, they can also represent the seasons of life where the highs and lows shape us. These seasons serve as a reminder that change is frequently necessary for growth.
October is recognized as ADHD Awareness Month, a time to highlight the realities of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, reduce stigma, and share practical strategies that support those living with it. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects millions of children and adults worldwide, but it is still widely misunderstood. For many, ADHD is thought of as simply being overly energetic or easily distracted. However, ADHD is far more complex, involving brain-based differences in attention, impulse control, and regulation of activity. Raising awareness is important because with proper understanding, treatment, and support, people with ADHD can thrive in school, work, relationships, and beyond.
National and international health guidance agencies have placed high emphasis on the critical need to mitigate Social Isolation among older adults. The 2023 Surgeon General’s Advisory declared social disconnection a national health crisis. The World Health Organization(WHO) has called loneliness “a significant determinant of mental health in older age”, rating social isolation and loneliness among older adults a public health priority. The CDC has similarly spotlighted “Social connection” among older adults as a determinant of health that impacts both a person’s mental and physical health. CDC further stated that social isolation increases the risk of premature death from all causes. The National Institute on Aging similarly stated that social isolation may accelerate mental aging and worsen psychiatric vulnerability
If there’s one thing nursing has taught me, it’s that anxiety has a way of stealing people’s breath. I’ve sat with patients who whispered, “I can’t breathe” while their oxygen levels were perfectly fine. What they were really describing was the tight grip of panic. That stuck with me. Because even before I began my journey to become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), I understood how scary that feeling is. Anxiety makes the body feel unsafe, even when you are safe. And often, the breath is the first place it shows up.
As fall approaches, many people often feel a downregulated or depressed mood. Your circadian rhythm is responsible for releasing various brain chemicals that help control your alertness and mood.
As the days grow shorter and nights come earlier, many people notice changes in their mood
and energy levels. At the start of fall, some may feel worsening or the beginning of depressive
symptoms without apparent environmental or pharmacological changes.
