Mental Health Access for African Americans

Logic Model

Goal:

Improved provision of mental health services for the African American community

Mission: To improve the mental health of the African American community via intervention efforts

Purpose: the African American community does not receive adequate mental health services due to biases within the health care community, lack of trust within the African American community, historical trauma, and lack of access to care. The purpose is to resolve these issues through education, support, and improved care.

Inputs/resources:

Local communities can provide support for advancing the mission of this intervention; church groups and mental health providers can collaborate to ensure that the community is working together to help members of the community. Substance abuse treatment centers can also work with mental health providers, and health literacy can be promoted in health facilities for both care providers and patients.

Context/Conditions:

The African American community requires mental health services but because of historical trauma (Tuskegee experiments, systemic racism, institutionalized slavery, Jim Crow laws, etc.), the community mistrusts the medical establishment.

There are also economic factors to consider, such as the poverty of many black communities and lack of access to care that these communities have.

Education and health literacy are also an issue that serves as a barrier to mental health care.

This same population tends to seek mental health support in one of two ways: through local churches and the church community or through substance abuse.

Activities/Interventions:

Community collaboration projects, featuring mental health seminars in coordination with local churches and organizations to help promote health literacy, restore trust, and rebuild after trauma.

Outputs: