May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and “American Black Journal” examines the unique challenges the Black community faces in navigating mental health issues.
Statistics from the Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health show that Black adults in the United States are more likely to report ongoing emotional distress related to economic disparities. However, only one in three Black adults in need of mental health care receive it, underscoring a troubling gap in access and support. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) also reports that African Americans are 20% more likely to grapple with mental health challenges compared to the general population.
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Carlynn Nichols, senior director of behavioral health at CNS Healthcare, underscores the necessity of recognizing and addressing these unique challenges. She advocates for regular mental health check-ins for individuals and their loved ones, along with timely professional intervention when necessary.
Host Stephen Henderson talks with Nichols about the mental health challenges facing children, individuals and families today. She discusses knowing when it is time to seek professional assistance, how to eliminate the stigma of mental illness – especially in the African American community – and a growing shortage of psychiatrists and other mental health professionals.
Nichols also explains CNS Healthcare’s campaign throughout May that encourages individuals and businesses to display signs in yards or inside buildings that contain crisis resource information and suicide prevention messages.
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Watch American Black Journal on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 9:30 a.m. on Detroit PBS, WTVS-Channel 56.
—. She discusses knowing when it is time to seek professional assistance, how to eliminate the stigma of mental illness –
Do you think the day will come when we no longer support those taught or teaching, professional or not, promulgating there is a stigma to mental health issues? When we will cease to be their support?
Harold A Maio maioharolda@gmail.com