The Alarming Prevalence of Untreated Mental Health Disorders among Black Men

Mental Health in the U.S. among African American Men

The problem of interest to this study concerns the increasing numbers of African American men suffering from various mental health disorders (Adkison, 2023). Certainly, the African American community is not unique in this regard. Indeed, the United States has seen a concerning increase in the number of people suffering from mental health disorders in recent years, due to a combination of factors including most especially the multiple existential threats that are currently arrayed against humankind in general. In fact, studies estimate that more than 50 million Americans currently have conditions like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD, and others. This widespread prevalence of mental illness in general and among African American men in particular represents a serious public health crisis (Morton, 2022). Contributing factors are complex but likely include seemingly intractable systemic racism, diminished socioeconomic status, increased social isolation, economic stressors, lack of access to care, and the lingering impacts of the pandemic (Bauer et al., 2020). Without adequate treatment and resources, mental health issues can severely reduce quality of life and lead to unemployment, disability, substance abuse, homelessness, and even suicide among the African American male population. Tackling these mental health challenges, though, will require a comprehensive strategy and long-term investments in care and prevention at all levels of society and these issues are examined further in the literature that follows below.

Literature Review

The population at highest risk of mental health disorders

Today, African American males are among the populations at highest risk of mental health disorders in the United States, with about 21% likely to experience serious mental health conditions compared to the general population (Behavioral Health Concerns, 2023). While nearly one-quarter (23.9%) of white Americans report suffering from a mental disorder at some in their life, only about 39% of African Americans receive any mental health treatment compared to more than half (52%) of white Americans (Behavioral Health Concerns, 2023).

Cultural factors related to the problem

Although multiple healthcare and socioeconomic disparities are likely responsible for this disproportionate representation, at least to some extent, racial discrimination and the cultural stigma that are associated with mental illness and those seeking assistance clearly contribute to higher risks among the African American male population (Shannon et al., 2022). Several cultural and social factors can discourage African American males from seeking help for mental health disorders (Airhihenbuwa & Webster, 2014). Indeed, powerful stigmas surrounding mental health issues frequently translate into notions of individual weakness or failure which can discourage African American males from reaching out for assistance (Foster, 2018).

There is also historical context of mistrust in the healthcare system due to experiences of racism and discrimination, which can lead to hesitation in sharing personal and sensitive issues with healthcare professionals. Strong religious and spiritual beliefs can sometimes conflict with the idea of seeking help from mental health professionals. Limited awareness and understanding of mental health issues, coupled with socioeconomic disparities, may further limit access to mental health care.

Likewise, some African American men may rely on coping mechanisms like self-reliance, self-medication, or social support from friends and family instead of seeking professional help. Cultural norms around strength and the expectation of the machismo that is associated with the “strong African American manhood” can also discourage men from admitting vulnerability or seeking help for mental health issues. The lack of representation of African American mental health professionals can also make it challenging for individuals to find professionals who understand their unique cultural experiences and challenges.

Political and socioeconomic factors related to the problem

Beyond the foregoing issues, some of the salient political and socioeconomic factors that are related to this problem include systemic racism and discrimination which have created significant barriers to mental health care access and utilization for African American men. Indeed, it is reasonable to posit that institutionalized, insidious racism remains firmly in place across the country in ways that adversely affect African American males’ willingness to subject themselves to the tender mercies of predominately white healthcare establishment. Indeed, one white American lawmaker recently observed that it is impossible to grow up in the United States without being racist, an eventuality that is equally applicable to American people of all races. In the case of African America males, though, this population has historically faced negative stereotypes, economic marginalization, lack of insurance coverage, and inadequate access to culturally competent providers (Burt et al., 2023). Not surprisingly, many African American males report a fundamental distrust of the predominantly white medical system for a wide array of reasons, including a history of past personal abuses.

Taken together, it is apparent that a nationwide public health crisis exists in the form of untreated mental illness that is well documented but continues to exact a heavy toll on African American males nevertheless. The relevant socioeconomic constraints that have historically contributed to this problem may erode over time as greater educational and employment opportunities help break the intergenerational cycle of poverty that has plagued many African American families for decades. The relevant aspects of the African American culture that discourage males from seeking mental health assistance, however, is not going anywhere soon and this constraint directly relates to the envisioned CRHIP which is summarized below.

Summary Statement

The time for lamentations and hand-wringing is long past. The problem of increasing prevalence of mental health disorders among the African American male population is well documented, and the antecedents of this problem are likewise well known. In particular, the cultural stigma that is inextricably associated with seeking professional assistance for mental health disorders is perhaps the overarching reason for many African American males suffering in silence. This powerful “what it means to be an African American man” mindset is especially intractable to change since it is interwoven with the very fabric of their humanity.

The research also showed that many African American males enjoy a certain level of resilience to mental health disorders due to the some of the very same cultural issues such as strong sense of camaraderie and an influential religious background that discourage them from seeking mental health assistance. Indeed, it is reasonable to suggest that the current alarming statistics about the prevalence of mental disorders among the African American male population would be far more severe absent these resilience factors. Notwithstanding these culturally related protections, attempting to resolve complex mental health disorders without professional help is a challenging enterprise by any measure that is typically beyond the individual abilities of people of any race irrespective of their socioeconomic status or access to high-quality healthcare resources.

Although it is not possible to address all of these contributing factors at once (many of them were hundreds of years in the making), it is possible to formulate a national action plan that directly tackles this urgent public health crisis. A growing body of evidence indicates that addressing these issues requires creating culturally sensitive mental health programs, increasing awareness and education, reducing stigma, and promoting access to affordable and culturally competent mental health services.