Diversity & Health Equity Education

African Americans

Rates of mental illnesses in African Americans are similar with those of the general population. However, disparities exist in regard to mental health care services. The resources below assist mental health providers serving African Americans as well as individuals interested the community.

Browse educational content specific or applicable to this patient population below:

Guides & Toolkits:

Best Practice Highlights: Working with African American/Black Patients

Learn more working with African American patients, including demographics, significant history, best practices and disparities.

Mental Health Facts for African Americans

Rates of mental illnesses in African Americans are similar with those of the general population. However, disparities exist in regard to mental health care services.

Mental Health Facts for Diverse Populations

Most racial/ethnic minority groups overall have similar—or in some cases, fewer—mental disorders than whites. However, the consequences of mental illness in minorities may be long lasting.

Intimate Partner Violence: A Guide for Psychiatrists Treating IPV Survivors

Although IPV affects individuals across race/ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic background, minority women experience IPV at disproportionately high rates.

Stress & Trauma Toolkit for Treating African Americans in a Changing Political and Social Environment

APA Member-Only Content. Recent cases of police brutality and divisiveness of the current sociopolitical climate are evidence of continued racial oppression and explicit and implicit biases against African Americans.

Online Learning Modules:

Impact of Microaggression on Mental Health Outcomes

Cultural Formulation Interview

Climate Change and Disaster Mental Health

Engagement Interview Protocol

Blogs & Articles:

Psych News | AUG 13, 2019

Patient's Race May Influence Access to MH Care Following Overdose

APA Blog | APR 3, 2019

Mental Health on College Campuses: Multiracial and Asian Students May be at Higher Risk of Untreated Mental Illness

Psych News | FEB 28, 2019

Why You Should Care About Climate Change

APA Blog | FEB 13, 2019

African Americans Face a Greater Risk of Alzheimer's

Psych News | JAN 18, 2019

Sleep Apnea Linked With Hard-to-Treat High Blood Pressure in Blacks

Psych News | OCT 25, 2018

More Minority Patients May Be Able to Safely Use Clozapine

Psych News | OCT 16, 2018

Access to Quality MH Care Does Not Equate to Use by Black Immigrants

APA Blog | OCT 8, 2018

The Psychological Effects of Sexual Assault

Psych News | JUL 13, 2018

Study Exposes Mental Health Effects of Police Shootings on Black Communities

Psych News | JUN 29, 2018

'Structural Competency' Approach Takes Into Account Patients' World

Psych News | APR 13, 2018

'Black Korea' Captures Children Brought Up in Two Cultures

Books & Journals:

Black Mental Health Patients, Providers, and Systems

DSM-5® Handbook on the Cultural Formulation Interview

Clinical Manual of Cultural Psychiatry, Second Edition

Decision Making About Pathways Through Care for Racially and Ethnically Diverse Young Adults With Early Psychosis

Understanding Racial-Ethnic Disparities in Psychosis Outcomes via Population-Based Approaches

Racial-Ethnic Disparities in First-Episode Psychosis Treatment Outcomes From the RAISE-ETP Study

Psychiatric Symptoms and Diagnoses Among U.S. College Students: A Comparison by Race and Ethnicity

PASS: A Behavioral Health Care Program for Culturally Diverse Youths and Their Families

Culture, Heritage, and Diversity in Older Adult Mental Health Care