WISCONSIN UNITED
for MENTAL HEALTH

“Mental Health affects all genders and all ages in our community. It affects the rich and the poor as well as those who have and not have higher levels of education. Individuals who suffer must come out of the closet, let go of the shame and guilt, and get needed services. The community as a whole must wrap our collective arms of support around those who suffer so they know that they are not alone.”
- Dr. Patricia McManus, Wisconsin Chronicles on Black Health Disparities, June 2007

Approximately 12% of the U.S. population -- 33.9 million people – identify themselves as African American.The African American population is increasing in diversity as immigrants arrive from many African and Caribbean countries. Over half of the Nation's African Americans population (53%) live in the South; 37% reside in the Northeast and Midwest combined; 10% live in the West. In 1997, nearly one-fourth of all African American earned more than $50,000 a year. Yet, as a whole, when compared to other racial and ethnic groups living in the U.S., African Americans continue to be relatively poor. In 1999, about 22% of African American families lived in poverty, compared to 13% for the United States as a whole and 8% for non-Hispanic white Americans.

Whether African Americans differ from whites in the rate of mental illness cannot be answered simply. For African Americans living in the community, overall rates of mental illness appear to be similar to those of non-Hispanic whites. Differences do arise when assessing the prevalence of specific illnesses. ...

From African Americans Fact Sheet, Mental Health: Culture, Race, Ethnicity; A Report of the Surgeon General.  Click on that link to read more.


Mental illnesses show no boundaries and affect people from various social and economic classes, religions, cultures and races. However, as a whole, the African American population in the United States is less likely to receive diagnosis and treatment for their mental illnesses. For example, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Surgeon General, nearly 60% of older African American adults are not utilizing services that they need for their mental health. Multiple factors may be the cause for not receiving help, including:

• A mistrust of health professionals and medical establishments due to a history of misdiagnosis and inadequate treatment in minority communities.
• Dependence on family, religious and social communities in times of emotional stress rather than on a mental health professional.
• Cultural barriers between many doctors and their patients.
• Stigmatization of psychotherapy in the African American community and misunderstanding about mental illnesses in general.
• Socioeconomic factors which may limit access to both medical and mental health care.

There is evidence that once in treatment, African Americans, as well as people of all races, respond favorably to a combination of medication, counseling and peer support. In addition to these forms of treatment, there can also be benefits from exercise, stress reduction and other activities to help one manage his or her illness.

Additional Resources:
Issues Involved in Performing Outreach and Education to African American (.pdf from the National Institute of Mental Health)

African Americans (several resources specific to the concerns of the African American population, from Mental Health America)

African American Family Services
Phone: 612-871-7878

Association of Black Psychologists
Phone: 202-722-0808

National Association of Black Social Workers
Phone: 202-589-1850

Virginia Commonwealth University Institute for African American Mental Health Training and Research
Phone: 804-828-8069

Black Women's Health Imperative