Introduction
The term African American has evolved over the years but still sparks debate with regards to inclusion and categorization in the United States. The phrase refers to ethnic individuals of African continent descent whose relatives have resided in the U.S. for more than one generation. However, the term should not be confused with word Black that solely represents a race and includes people from different ethnic origins such as the Caribbean. Even though the terms are often used interchangeably they are completely different. Nonetheless, there has always been a conflict in distinguishing Black immigrants and the native-born ones because their association with the term African American are based on their historical experiences and not skin color.
Regardless of whether they are immigrants or native-born, African Americans have been part of the U.S. community since its conception. However, since the slavery period, this group has been discriminated from the white population and as a result experienced a myriad of challenges. These issues include poor health, limited access to health insurance covers, racism, and lack of employment opportunities. These groups of negative characteristics imply that they need more mental health counseling compared to their white counterparts (Cheng et al., 2019). Nonetheless, efforts to try and enroll African Americans in related therapies have been thwarted by challenges associated with modern oppression, discrimination, sexism, which have shaped their worldviews on counseling. Consequently, when developing a solution that will improve their accessibility to mental health counseling services, it is imperative to consider all African American characteristics from cultures to the problems they face.
Description and Background of the Topic
Living within a White Macro-culture
The USA community is full of controversies, particularly in fighting racism and escalating its practice at the same time. While it is expected that African Americans have to live together with non-Hispanic whites, the nature of their historical relationship presents several challenges to the former. African Americans comprise about 14% of the U.S. population compared to 60% belonging to the White community (Hasford, 2016). Consequently, statistics alone indicate that African Americans might not be at ease living among whites considering they are the minority. One issue that has made it impossible for blacks and whites to live peacefully as a people of the same nation is stereotyping.
This concept which was initiated in the slavery era has forced African Americans to adopt certain behaviors that are not original to mingle with the rest of the U.S. community. For instance, the stereotyping of black males as criminals, violent, and lazy continues to affect African Americans families. Such negative beliefs have denied blacks employment opportunities, influenced their socioeconomic status, and influenced their educational outcomes (Hasford, 2016). Moreover, members of the community cannot lead normal lives because their actions are always under scrutiny and have to work under more harsh conditions to succeed. There is a need of intervention approaches that will help the ethnic group gain access to mental health services.
Mental Health Accessibility among African Americans
Approximately 34 million in the United States identify themselves as African Americans and 22% of them live in abject poverty. Consequently, the group is at a higher risk of mental disorders because most of them are homeless, their children live in foster homes, and are often victims of brutal crime. Moreover statistics indicate that 40% of youths from black communities are in the criminal justice system and 45% of them in foster care (Noonan et al., 2016). Therefore, in need for psychologists to help eliminate behaviors of aggression and negativism affecting such children. Moreover, at least 25% of black youths are victims of violence and as a result, are at a higher risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Meints et al., 2016). This group requires services from mental health professionals to help the members deal with the symptoms and teach them negative repercussions of participating in violence to their social and physical health.
Moreover, blacks are twice more likely to be diagnosed with various forms of schizophrenia compared non-Hispanic whites. Therefore, it is necessary that this group receives the best mental healthcare services to deal with related symptoms. Additionally, diabetes and stroke are some of the diseases which affect blacks more than other communities. Psychologists play a crucial role in assisting the affected individuals develop recovery behaviors to help them cope with the chronic illnesses. There is a correlation between mental wellbeing and physical health and appropriate medical services are important to take care of the two.
Although it is evident from the above statistics that African Americans are as much affected by mental illnesses as whites, it is unfortunate that they receive less treatment. Reports by the U.S. Census Bureau indicate that blacks are 7 times more likely to reside in poverty-stricken neighborhoods with poor access to mental health services. Furthermore, the same exposition indicates that approximately 25% of blacks lack insurance covers but at the same time in need of primary care from specialists. There is a greater need for psychologists and not just clinicians and ordinary medics who are better trained in the diagnosis and treatment of behavioral and mental disorders in African American communities.
Finally, there is need for mental health professionals who culturally competent enough to work on patients from black ethnic groups. It is quite unfortunate that the percentage of African American psychologists in America stands at 2%. This implies that the community lack professionals that can understand their social and mental challenges (Meints et al., 2016). It is quite important to have a significant number of African American mental health professionals because research indicates that there are chances of effective outcomes when minority medics attend to minority patients. Moreover, the presence of black psychologists will help in the minimization of stigma and motivate more people to seek behavioral and mental health services.
Cultural Values, Beliefs, and World Views of African Americans
Like any other ethnic group, African Americans have a cultural heritage that define their beliefs and world views of various things in life. It is important to note that most of the traditions and practices of black people are founded in their historical experiences from the slavery to the post-slavery eras. Since members of the community have no clear native land, it is quite difficult to establish popular beliefs among them based on their place of origin (Mtambuzi, 2016). However, there are certain aspect such s religion, family structure, and politics that unite their world views.
Christianity has been the most dominant subset of religion among African Americans and can be traced back to the slavery period. During the era blacks were forced to abandon their original beliefs and completely embrace the Christian faith. However, most of them still clang to elements of their traditions and as a result integrated them into their worship practices evident in how they conduct their services today. Unlike churches lead by whites, black places of worship are usually characterized with African rhythms, shouting and dancing (Mtambuzi, 2016). Consequently, one of the most common doctrines taught in African American churches is that all humans are equal before God’s eyes. This belief has been used for ages in the community as a symbol of hope that despite the oppressions they encounter there is an assurance of a better future.
As a result, blacks are always motivated to fight for their rights creating the worldview that they have to work extremely hard for whatever they need. Similarly, the Islamic religion is also part of the African American heritage owing to the fact that prominent black activists such as Malcom X used elements of the same to fight for the rights of African Americans. The underlying belief among African American Muslims is peace and that violence is not a solution to disagreements (Nguyen, 2020). However, they believe so much in God as the source of everything influencing the perspectives on healthcare and related intervention processes.
Politics is another component of the African American culture that the group has actively participated in for the longest time. This is because blacks believe that it is the only platform they can use to voice out their social challenges which include racial profiling, institutional discrimination, high poverty rates, and limited access to healthcare. Consequently, politics have shaped their worldview on survival within American borders (McDaniel et al., 2018). Therefore, providing an alternative of mental healthcare services might not be as effective because members of the community having a fighting attitude. They would rather take their issues to the streets through protests than visit psychologists and therapists.
Impacts of a Multicultural Society on an African American’s Perspective of Clinical Mental Health Treatment Services
Race and Ethnicity
Ever since the slavery era, African Americans have been subjects of racial and ethnic discrimination and the stigma that results from the two vices has influenced the community’s approach towards healthcare. Interactions between blacks and whites have always been characterized by violence, oppression, and dehumanization throughout the American history and this resulted into structural and institutional discrimination and negative ethnicity (Noonan et al., 2016). This attitude towards blacks is reflected in healthcare facilities where members of the community do not receive adequate services even when they pay for them. Moreover, certain medical care services such as mental healthcare treatment require insurance covers which is a great challenge to most African Americans who hail from poor backgrounds. Consequently, it is difficult to convince to enroll for related services even when they are free. African Americans have been treated as less humans and therefore see themselves as unworthy of receiving specialized mental health treatment services.
Religion and Spiritual Belief Systems
Similarly, Christianity and Islam which are the main religions in the African American community shape the members’ view of enrolling for mental healthcare services. Since blacks do not have the privilege of affording comfortable lives, they have been forced to turn to their spiritual beliefs as the main source solutions to all their issues. For instance, the belief that Christianity and Islam promises them a better tomorrow boosts their optimism helping them believe that despite all their challenges God will make a way (Nguyen, 2020). As a result, less than half the African American population are likely to seek professional mental care compared to their White counterparts. Most of them believe that the consolation they find in religion is sufficient enough and that in case they need any form of therapy they can do so by opening up to the spiritual leaders. Elements of professional mental health care such as sharing problems with fellow humans are in conflict with sociocultural religious beliefs of African Americans.
Social Power and Privileges
An individual’s socioeconomic status is a primary determinant to how they perceive social power and privileges in various facets of life. Consequently, African Americans who have been brought up in poor neighborhoods tend to believe that racial discrimination denies them some rights in comparison to non-Hispanic whites. For instance, education and well-paying jobs are considered as ordinary achievements but to majority of African Americans these are privileges that they only wish for (Noonan et al., 2016). The same applies to healthcare insurance covers that are necessary for mental healthcare treatment services. Consequently, since such successes are considered as privileges to blacks, members of the community who are educated and ability to pay for medical covers still face discrimination. African Americans who cannot afford such social statuses and privileges tend to forego mental healthcare treatment services.
Gender-related Beliefs
Gender as an entity contributes to the cultural beliefs and practices of a community. Whenever the subject is mentioned, people tend to think more about women and not men. However, touches on the relationship between males and females and how their roles and perspectives of life are influenced by various cultural elements. For instance, the concept of masculinity among African Americans expects men to be tough since they are leaders of their homes. Consequently, reaching out when they are stressed by vising mental healthcare facilities is not an option. Similarly, black women have taught to persevere harsh conditions and will always resort to coping behavior instead of seeking help from psychologists (Villatoro et al., 2017). Cultural beliefs are engraved in people’s lives and it takes a lot of time to undo such perceptions on mental healthcare treatment.
Theories, Interventions and Techniques Effective in Treating Mental Disorders Among African Americans
Cognitive Theory of Depression
This approach to treating African Americans who are victims of mental and emotional disorders is based on the idea that depressive-related illnesses are caused by adverse biases in the manner in which the patient processes dysfunctional beliefs. Consequently, the negative thoughts that have been created in the minds of black individuals since childhood often lead to cognitive distortion and subsequently depression symptoms (Breuer et al., 2018). These irrational thoughts as those of unworthiness attract negative experiences that hinder people from thinking soberly. The theory can be used therapeutically in helping African American clients understand the connection between their behaviors, emotions, and thoughts using well-formulated learning experiences.
Optimal Theory
Emotional and behavioral disorders result from emotional imbalances. Racism and discrimination trigger various emotions including anger and feelings of unworthiness. Consequently, when handling patients of the African American origin it is important to use intervention approaches that enhance the processes of self-awareness which are crucial in achieving self-acceptance and preservation. Optimal theory indicates that self-knowledge is extremely important in helping patients deal with external life pressures by equipping them with the right knowledge to handle such issues (Marquand et al., 2019). Consequently, this supposition will help black clients develop life skills instrumental in dealing with frustrations that result from racial segregation.
Solution Focused Therapy
This approach to treating emotional and behavioral disorders focuses on the client’s capacity to solve problems by themselves rather than attempting to understand the origin of their condition. This intervention works well for depressed and stressed African Americans who are subjects of institutional discrimination and racism (Breuer et al., 2018). Negative ethnicity particularly towards the black community has been in the United States for the longest time and therefore very little can be done to change that. However, shifting the client’s focus from the problem to a future-oriented direction helps them concentrate on the things they can do deal with the triggers of depression and not do away with them.
Behavioral Therapy
Behavioral therapy is one of the most effective interventions for individuals with mental disorders borrowed from the theories of conditioning. As discussed before, majority of the youth who are of African American descent are involved in violence. Consequently, this technique is preferred by psychologists attending to such clients because it is helps in behavior modification. The therapy is instrumental in identifying the self-destructive and unhealthy behavior among black youths and focus on changing these problems (Breuer et al., 2018). Aside from the younger generation, the intervention can also help deal with depression and anxiety among African American adults who struggle to meet their families’ needs.
Modification of Theories and Interventions
The discussed interventions and theories are generally to be applied in the counseling and psychology industry. However, they have to be modified in order to successfully meet the needs of the African American community. For instance, behavioral therapy might not work for black youths constantly involved in violence because they believe they are fighting for their rights or it’s the way out of poverty. The solution would be to understand the motives behind the aggressive behavior and reasons for rejecting behavioral theory. Consequently, in such cases, the counselor can opt for a solution focused intervention that will help them understand what works for the client. It is imperative that mental health professionals understand what approaches to select and how to apply them.
Advocacy Strategy for African American Female with Depressive Disorder
Consequently, it is necessary to have an advocacy strategy if African American clients with mental health disorders, particular those with major depressive disorder are to be helped. Below is an advocacy strategy that can be used to represent the needs a client with depression and used to inspire changes to help similar victims.
Background
The client has presented signs and symptoms of depression caused by the results of racial segregation. She cannot afford basic bills for her family and therefore needs more than mental healthcare. The advocacy strategy is supposed to help other African Americans like her who cannot afford mental health care.
Aim
The long-term goal is for the client and other African American women gain access to proper mental healthcare treatment services.
Objectives
The lady should be in a position to report to the clinic for therapy sessions thrice a month. Additionally, her peers should also start coming for treatment a month after the strategy’s implementation.
Targets
Mental Health America and Mental Health Advocacy Coalition can collaborate with charity organizations in facilitating the client’s bills and other ladies from her community who need medical attention.
Allies
American Psychological Association and the Association of Black Psychologists will be crucial in supporting the project.
Activities
The main activity is to advocate for policies that will help consider African American women who are faced with poverty and need mental healthcare services.
Conclusion
Medical care is a basic need and yet not every American citizen enjoys the privilege of accessing mental healthcare services. Compared to other ethnic communities in the United States, African Americans are more severely affected with emotional and behavioral disorders. However, statistics indicate that very few of them access medical services due to racial segregation issues, poverty, and perceptions they have picked from their cultural beliefs and historical experiences. However, there are interventions, techniques and theories in psychology that can specifically address mental disorders in the community. Additionally, it is necessary to create an advocacy plan to help in sourcing for finances and pushing for policies that can help African American clients who cannot afford mental healthcare services.
References
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Cheng, Y., Smith, L., Ritzi, R., Wagner, T., & Pertuit, T. (2019). Counselor preparation in working with African American adolescents in group counseling. The Journal for Specialists in Group Work, 45(1), 3-21.
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Marquand, A., Kia, S., Zabihi, M., Wolfers, T., Buitelaar, J., & Beckmann, C. (2019). Correction: Conceptualizing mental disorders as deviations from normative functioning. Molecular Psychiatry, 24(10), 1565-1565.
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Villatoro, A., Mays, V., Ponce, N., & Aneshensel, C. (2017). Perceived need for mental health care: The intersection of race, ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status. Society and Mental Health, 8(1), 1-24.