APN Advocacy

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Make A Peer response or review on the the essay below

  • Length: A minimum of 150 words per post, not including references
  • Citations: At least one high-level scholarly reference in APA per post from within the last 5 years 
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  • Healthcare Issue in my State

Mental health is an essential part of well-being and should be relied upon in a person’s physical health as importantly as their need for food, sleep, and exercise. Each patient the health care provider encounters should leave feeling as though their health care needs were met holistically however, this has not been the case in the African American community. Currently in the United States of America 41,000 psychiatrists practice in this country and only 2% are black (Lin, Stamm, & Christidis, 2018). Research shows there is a lack of culturally competent care, knowledge deficit, and lack of resources. The best way to alleviate these issues are to bring about awareness, exposure, and advocate for change.

Mental illness is a serious health care issue facing the African American community. In the United States of America 37 million people identify as black which comprises 12% of the population (Vance, 2019). Identifying as mentally unhealthy in the black community carries many stereotypes, such as weakness, instability, and in some cases can lead to disownment by family (Vance, 2019). Black Americans are plagued with prominent levels of anxiety and depression and are 20% more likely to experience serious mental health problems, such as major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, with lower rates of mental health service utilization when compared to whites (Lin, Stamm, & Christidis, 2018). Causes of these disparities includes absence of culturally competent mental health care, inequalities in the daily environment, and historical trauma executed on black communities by the medical field. This is worsened by healthcare unfairness and disproportionate treatment because of social class (Lin, Stamm, & Christidis, 2018). It is known that black Americans depend on prayer as a means of dealing with mental illness and are deeply rooted in attending church. Could this be filling the void for the lack of professional resources, and an attempt to self-medicate? One should investigate making mental health providers present in churches. A trusting relationship can be built, and education can begin. Free training to clergy, commercials and conferences held in communities with the greatest needs. Exposure for the incredibly young to pursue careers in healthcare, Psychiatric nurse practitioner, MD and psychiatric mentorships, public awareness and scholarship offers for careers in healthcare are the first steps that can be made to alleviate this sad and unfortunate situation.

References

Lin, L., Stamm, K., & Christidis, P. (2018, FEBRUARY). How Diverse is the Psychological Workforce, Volume 49 No 2. Retrieved from American Psychological Association: https://www.apa.org/monitor/2018/02/datapoint

Vance, T. A. (2019, February 8). Addressing Mental Health in the Black Comunity. Retrieved from Columbia Psychiatry: https://www.psychiatry.org/news/addressing-mental-health-black-comunity