MENTAL HEALTH AND DISORDERS
A RISING EPIDEMIC AMONG THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY
KEHINDE ADEYEMI
Department of Nursing, Lewis University
Sp21-Nurs-53400-005
Population Health
Dr Kathy Dunn
FEBRUARY 13, 2021
ABSTRACT
The need for a complete reorganization and development of programs focusing upon mental health promotion and prevention in the African American community is unquestionably overdue. Black Americans experience more severe forms of mental health conditions due to several factors mostly beyond their control. There is an urgent need for community action at all levels to create a favorable interaction among the underserved population with the goal of achieving functional recovery.
STATISTICS
MENTAL HEALTH AND DISORDERS
A RISING EPIDEMIC AMONG THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY
• 20.6% of U.S. adults experienced mental illness in 2019(51.5 million people). This represents 1 in 5 adults. 5.2% of U.S adults experienced serious mental illness in 2019(13.1 million people). This represents 1 in 20 people.
• 16%(4.8million) of black and African American people reported having a mental illness, and 22.4% (1.1million) reported a serious mental illness over the past year.
HEALTH DETERMINANTS/DISPARITIES/RISK FACTORS
• Poverty
• Unequal access to healthcare
• Stigma
• Racism
• Lack of education
INTERVENTIONS
TARGET POPULATION
• Englewood community in Chicago.
EVIDENCE BASED DATA/PROGRAM
• SOCIAL SKILLS TRAINING: Aimed at reducing negative symptoms and improving social skills and social functioning
• FAMILY PSYCHOEDUCATION: Aimed at decreasing illness recurrence, length and rates of hospitalization and increase illness knowledge while increasing treatment adherence and caregiver burden.
• DIALECTICAL BEHAVIOR THERAPY: Aimed at reducing anger, suicide and self-injurious behaviors.
PARTNERING AGENCY
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
INNOVATION
• The program’s aim is to take a broad focus, seeking to influence the patient’s challenges and strengths in relation to the community in which the patient lives.
OUTCOME MEASURES
USEFUL EDUCATIONAL LINK
• https://www.mhlg.org
METHODS OF PROGRAM EVALUATION BY DEVELOPERS
• Decrease in the number of hospitalizations for mental issues.
• Stabilization of symptoms in patients.
EVALUATING MY PROGRAM
• Compliance with medication regimen.
• Decrease in hospitalization.
• Increase in self-management skills.
• Positive cognitive, emotional and social skills.
REFERENCES
Chatmon, B. N. (2020). Males and Mental Health Stigma. American Journal of Men’s Health, 14(4), 155798832094932. https://doi.org/10.1177/1557988320949322
Vita, A., & Barlati, S. (2019). The Implementation of Evidence-Based Psychiatric Rehabilitation: Challenges and Opportunities for Mental Health Services. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00147
National Institute of Mental Health. (2017, November 1). Mental Illness. Nih.gov. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness.shtml
