The Perception of Mental Health within the

African American Community

Doreen Okeh
Imagine...
● You are depressed
● Built courage to go to therapy

But

● Prohibited because of your fear on its reflection on your family

● Rejection by your church and community
● Stigmatized by society
 Fact:
Although mental health care has progressed immensely in its

treatment and effectivity, the advances in treatment have omitted

African Americans and have failed to provide accessible mental care to

blacks in alignment with their lifestyles (Todd 2018).

 Doreen Okeh
Independent Research I G/T
Agenda
● Issue Overview
● Research Question and Hypothesis
● Background
● Key Findings
● Product
● Conclusion
Issue?
Research Question and Hypothesis
● Why are African American views of mental illness negative and so opposed to
treatment?
● African American individuals in the United States suffering from
psychological ailments may be hesitant to seek treatment due to strong
familial influences, stigma in seeking professionals assistance, and religious
implications which can hinder an individual later in life.
Background
● Mental illness as perceived in the black community is hardly discussed due to its

taboo-like nature and general misunderstandings.

● In the African American community it is categorized as a sign of weakness within an

individual, which is an untolerated trait.

● The advances in treatment have omitted African Americans and fail to provide

accessible mental care to the black youth care in alignment with their lifestyles.
All influenced by the
hesitance of black people
to go to formal mental
health professionals
Product
● Several secondary research sources annotated and observed

● Conducted and transcribed several interviews

● Created Synthesis Paper

● E-Portfolio about African American Mental Health

● Display Board
 Key Findings
“Because…[when] a family or one of the children of the family has a mental illness nobody
wants to marry into that family” -Dr. Vicky Coffee, psychologist (2019).

“[An African American’s] sense of shame or embarrassment reflects the social stigma of
mental health" -Dr. James Derouselle, psychologist (2018)
“The African American Community holds such a high standard to religion and the church and God,
and at times it can at times hinder the individual from seeking the help that they need” -Toyin Fasosin,
Mental Health First Aid provider (2019).
Learning Outcomes
● Improvement of communication skills with professionals
● Development of public-presentation expertise
● Advancement in writing complexity
Future Plans
● Inspire hesitant individuals who are suffering in silence to seek the proper care that

is needed in order to acquire a better quality of life.

● Informing the general public in the vitality of normalizing mental health, ultimately

dissolving the ignorance surrounding the subject.

Conclusion
African Americans suffering from mental ails are often times hesitant to seek
professional treatment and care due to continual discouragement from family and
community to do such, heavy stigma associated with mental illness, and strong religious
commitment.

An increase in effort to destigmatize mental health and increase discussion within the
household and the church will immensely contribute in dissolving enveloping stigma.
Questions?
Bibliography
"Depression And African Americans." Mental Health America, www.mentalhealthamerica.net/conditions/depression-and-african-americans. Accessed 5 Nov. 2018.
Howard, Shamyra. "Three Reasons Black People Don't Go To Therapy." Conquest Counseling LLC, 15 Apr. 2016, conquestcounseling.com/black-people-dont-go-therapy/. Accessed
8 Dec. 2018.
Lolmaugh, Kristin. "5 Factors That Affect Mental Health in African American Communities." Arundel Lodge Behavioral Health, 28 Feb. 2017,
www.arundellodge.org/5-factors-that-affect-mental-health-in-african-american-communities/. Accessed 15 Nov. 2018.
Morin, Amy. "Why We Need to Start Treating Mental Health More Like Physical
Health." INC., Manuseto Ventures, www.inc.com/amy-morin/
why-we-need-to-start-treating-mental-health-more-like-physical-health.html.
Accessed 17 Jan. 2019.