MENTAL HEALTH AND DISORDERS

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 communityaction at all levels to create a favorable interaction amongthe 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/RISKFACTORS

• 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